Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has called for a shift from the “utak-kotse”mentality in addressing the country’s traffic woes, urging the government to prioritize rail and subway systems instead of relying on more highways.
Cayetano’s statement comes on the heels of the appointment of the Department of Transportation’s new chief, Secretary Vince Dizon.
The senator argued that building more highways addresses only the symptom rather than the root cause, which is over-reliance on cars and the resulting traffic congestion.
Instead, he proposed expanding rail networks.
“Why not a railway rather than a highway? Kasi nga ang problema, utak-kotse tayo,” he said.
“Noong ’50s, ’40s, nangunguna tayo, may railway tayo everywhere. Pero napabayaan natin y’un and then we went the American way na panay kotse,” he added.
Cayetano noted the struggle of workers commuting from provinces just to reach Metro Manila, where most of the better economic opportunities are located.
“Not only the hirap, y’ung tama sa katawan, but y’ung oras talaga na nasasayang, and then of course y’ung gastos,” he said as he described the difficulties many people face.
The senator commended the ongoing Metro Manila Subway project but stressed the need for continuous transport planning and execution.
“Dapat bago pa matapos ‘yan, pina-plano na ang susunod,” he said.
“Kasi it takes six or seven years para matapos. By the time matapos, ilan na ang kotse, ilan na ang tao, tapos panay sa Metro Manila. So may ginagawa ba to extend that out?” he continued.
He pointed to Hong Kong as a model for long-term infrastructure planning.
“Since early or mid-1980s, wala akong punta sa Hong Kong na nakita kong walang ginagawang subway. So by now, makikita n’yo kahit saan ka pumunta sa Hong Kong, halos buong Hong Kong malalakad n’yo sa ilalim in most of the areas. Kasi nga, gawa lang nang gawa,” he said.
The senator expressed optimism that Dizon’s experience as the previous head of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) will translate into a proactive approach and much-needed improvements in public transportation, especially in railways.
“I’m hoping y’ung kind ng ‘get it done’attitude magagawa ngayon sa airports, seaports, buses and railways,” he said.
Cayetano has long advocated for decongesting Metro Manila by connecting it to the provinces through an efficient railway network, as well as creating more economic opportunities outside the capital.
