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Greatness Comes from Listening

by Jade Alyssa Pillosis BAJ 2-A

In a slowly urbanizing city within a province, it is quite rare to find a place where you can still inhale a breath of fresh air with the absence of pollution. On top of that, a barangay where everything that a person can possibly need is within arms reach. Such as schools, universities, malls, markets, parks, and historical places. These places are all accessible within minutes in Barangay Dakila. Furthermore, this barangay is one of the barangays who rarely experience flooding even with the presence of a super typhoon. From its name itself, Barangay Dakila is a great place to live in. However, it still has many problems that the citizens wish to solve. 

Jade Pillosis with Nanay Patchie

Upon interviewing some of the citizens, they all said almost the same problems that they see within the barangay. Nanay Patchie, an elderly woman, expressed her dismay “Aksyunan nila agad ‘yan (referring to the potholes), eh napakahirap kapag nadaan kami diyan”. She wishes the route in their purok be fixed because she experiences a hard time walking on these routes. Another resident, Nonoy a househusband said “Minsan nakakatakot mag-motor kasi nga sira ang daanan, hinahatid ko pa anak kong grade 4, paano kung maaksidente kami riyan?”. He wishes the road to be fixed because he fears that he might face an accident while riding with his daughter. While Johny, a tricycle driver said that “Siyempre nasisira yung mga bearing kakakaldag, nagpapagawa pa kami”. Although these problems rooting from potholes on roads seems to be trivial, these experiences from the locals there are stories that need to be heard. 

Myrna Sacdalan, Baranggay Dakila Record Keeper

After asking some of the local officials there, it is evident that they see these problems and do not turn a blind eye to them. According to Myrna Sacdalan, the barangay record keeper, the usual problems they face are youth riots and road accidents. She said that they have CCTVs for each purok thus they can monitor all the road accidents that happen within the barangay. According to the barangay’s peace and order official, Raymond Surio, they sought help from the local government and were helped by the City Mayor, Christian Natividad, to solve the problem of potholes on roads. 

The route behind the school captured by Jade Pillosis

Seeing that the main road is already fixed days after the interview with the citizens, it seems to be that the problem is already solved right? Well, the issue of potholes is still yet to be solved. It’s true that the main road is better than ever, looking its best for the last ten years or so. However, there are still roads there that are hard to pass through due to its bumps and narrowness. An example of it will be the route behind the elementary school. It still is the same as it was. It is hard for a four-wheeled vehicle to pass by. Also, if two vehicles driving from opposite directions, they will have to find a place to stop and allow the other vehicle to move so that they can also pass by. There are citizens who live there and use that road everyday. Since it is a route beside rice fields, farmers are one of the primary people who pass by. It is hard for them to walk their carabaos and machines there because the road is too rough. 

Jade Pillosis with Myra Francisco

You may be asking, if there are problems that the people want to be solved, why is it that they haven’t raised their concerns to the officials? Well, they are ordinary citizens who have other problems that they have to deal with first. Such as putting food on the table, or thinking about where they are going to borrow money so that they can pay their bills. They are ordinary people who are struggling with problems everyday. They do not have the time of the day to go to the barangay hall to ask the authorities to fix a problem. Because one must come back from time to time to make sure that there is a progress to their concern. Just like what Myra Francisco, a elementary school teacher from Barangay Dakila stated, “Wala na akong oras, kasi sa school busy na ako, pag-uwi may paperworks pa so pag-punta ko ron sarado na, hindi ko na maa-address yung issue”. She is one of those citizens who are too busy to survive this hellhole of a country. Even if they want to address an issue, they are often intimidated and embarrassed to do so, as Nanay Patchie stated,, “Ay, di nako nag-reklamo, nakakahiya eh”. Even if the people see that there’s an issue that needs to be addressed, there are circumstances that hinders them to speak out. They will just wait for the authorities to do something even if it takes years, or decades.

Photo by Jade Pillosis

This actually is not limited to the barangay level, but to the whole country as well, because Filipinos often see public officials as untouchable people and they even idolize them. They do not seek accountability because of these views and it changes the way how democracy and public officials should be. The citizens' opinions are a glaring micro example of the Philippines’ political situation. Those who should hold the power are too scared, have too many things to think of, and are too exhausted to speak up. The people must regain their voices and the government must heed to them. Issues such as potholes on roads must not be neglected. Any issues raised by the citizens must not be neglected. Understanding where these people are coming from, and actually listening to them, allows everyone to journey towards a rich and harmonious community. That's where the greatness in listening comes from. Not just merely listening but to understand and do something is what the authorities should do.

Right now, the situation of potholes in the barangay is partially solved. It took many years to finally address this issue. Now, driving on the main road is much easier. However, there are still places that are yet to be fixed. Nonetheless, the citizens of Barangay Dakila are all thankful of this progress.

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Para po! Para Po Sana sa Tao, Huwag Isantabi!

BAJ 2-A Camacho, Cristine Grace Mauricio, Daniela Pillosis, Jade Alyssa Vasquez, Mizaki Frances

Traditional Jeepneys have roamed the streets of Manila since World War II. They have been part of our culture for such a long time that they have been our identity. Colorful, unique, and very Filipino. But this last week of February hasn't been very kind to the jeepney community. The Land Transportation Franchising and  Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has announced that jeepney operations will be halted after June 30, 2023 unless they have joined a cooperative or cooperation. This has sparked into such an enormous debate and has been continuously receiving backlash from drivers, commuters, and the like. Due to this, jeepney drivers came together to plan a transportation strike. They protested by not providing jeepney service for a whole week.

Mizaki Frances with Tatay Fernando. Photo by Daniela Mauricio

The simplest solution would appear to be to simply replace old, inefficient jeepneys with newer, more energy-efficient ones. However, it also has drawbacks. The drivers of jeepneys are the main beneficiaries of this PUV modernization. Tatay Fernando, a jeepney driver, said that since it is their main source of income, "Syempre malungkot, hanapbuhay namin yon. Mawawalan kami ng hanapbuhay. Kahit sarili mo yung jeep, kapag nawala yon wala ka ring hanapbuhay." They will lose their jobs as a result of the phase-out, and their families will go hungry. 

Many jeepney drivers oppose the government loan being offered. Due to the numerous requirements, they are unqualified, and Tatay Lauro, a jeepney driver, claims that he is old enough to be in debt to the government. When he tries to calculate how much money he makes by driving a jeepney, he believes he won't be able to pay.

Along with the drivers, commuters also sympathize with the situation of the jeepney drivers. Commuter Sheryl claims that because the fare would increase if the jeeps were phased out, she would prefer a cheaper fare. The greater problem the government must address—rather than the phase-out—is the continuation of high jeepney fare levels. Despite the convenience that air-conditioned buses provide, an extra fare will be a burden for e-jeeps that employ air conditioning.

While it is evident that the jeepney drivers and commuters will be the most affected by the looming PUV Modernization, there are still more people who will be affected by the implementation. People unseen despite them being in plain sight. Those are the vendors and sellers in the terminals and areas where jeepney drivers pass by or rest. 

For instance, at the Sta. Maria Terminal, there are many kinds of sellers and vendors there. From street food vendors to carinderias, whose livelihood depends on the commuters and jeepney drivers. Those are the lives that will be hugely affected by the PUV modernization. What would happen to them when the terminal where they get their livelihood from could possibly disappear? Are there guaranteed companies who would hire them? 

Jade Pillosis with Teresita, a carinderia vendor. Photo by Mizaki Frances

Teresita, a carinderia vendor at the Sta. Maria Terminal, expressed that she is not certain on how she will find another source of income. “Yun ang (ano) kasi ang kabuhayan namin eh ganito lang. Hindi ko rin masabi kasi ang hinahangad ko lang eh paano ka kumita ganon lang.”

The same goes to Rogelio Villamor, one of the many street food vendors there. He said that there is no other place for them to go. “‘Di namin alam, mahihirapan kami diyan kasi wala ng biyahe eh. Wala kaming mapupuntahang iba. Mahihirapan kung saan kami magsisimula.” They have families to feed too. With the never ending increase in inflation, the cost of everything is at its all time high. Due to the lock down, these stores were forced to close as a compliance to health protocols. Now that they are slowly getting up on their feet again, they will be knocked down yet again with no assurance that there will be someone who will help them. Their voices must be heard too. Their stories are just as important as the others.

As stated by many transport groups and drivers, they are all for modernization if it benefits the environment. However, the cost of the proposed modernized jeeps were too expensive, even with the help of the government they would not be able to afford it. PUV drivers earn so little, yet the weight of the burden was on their shoulders because of a decision made by people who don’t even use public transportation. 

By conducting an interview at the Sta. Maria Terminal, we were able to determine the thoughts and opinions of the people there. From jeepney drivers--vendors there. They have different views, but their collective answers towards the PUV Modernization are the same. The questions prepared by the interviewers were equipped to be answered by the opinions of the participants. There are two kinds of questions that were used, first is the Generalized Questions. These are the more general questions and the background of the participants were not relevant to these questions. The second kind is the Specific Questions, these are also the follow-up questions. Here, the background of the participants were relevant, hence these questions were specified only to them. The tables below represent the answers of the participants to the sets of questions given to them. 

Table 1

Table 2

Table 3

Table 4

Table 5

The tables above shows that more people are Not in Favor of the PUV Modernization as it has negative effects not just to them as commuters, but also to the jeepney drivers as well (Table 1). And that Jeepneys, more specifically Traditional Jeepneys, Have Big Effect on their lives, hence they prefer it more than the Modernized Jeep despite it being more comfortable (Table 3 & 4). Lastly, the vendors and sellers have no idea where they will get their livelihood from, when the terminal closes due to the jeepney phaseout, and the drivers are not ready to borrow money to comply with the PUV Modernization (Table 5). 

The data shows that the people recognize that this PUV Modernization has more drawbacks than advantages. 

Plackards hanged on a tent at the Sta. Maria Terminal. Photo by Mizaki Vasquez.

Jeepneys have been a huge part of our lives and our collective culture as Filipinos. This traditional mode of transportation has been incorporated into our needs and has been glued into our country's identity for several decades. It is pro-people because of its cheap and affordable fares for commuters, along with the fact that various sectors are dependent on it. This includes the drivers, barkers, takataks, dispatchers, mechanics, and many more. If the looming phaseout were to happen, countless livelihoods would be at stake. It would have a negative impact on the country's transportation system and on our economy in general because thousands of jobs would be lost. The Jeepney modernization program is an ideal program in perhaps a more pro-people government. But with no proper plans and rushed implementation, it would only trample on the poor masses. There is nothing wrong with modernization; we are all for that, but in doing that, it should consider bringing the less privileged into the progression that it proposes.

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Survey 2

Photos of Respondents:

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Baranggay Dakila, not so Great?

Baranggay Dakila is one, if not, the most ideal place to live in Malolos, Bulacan. It’s near to almost everything, schools, markets, malls, hospitals, government offices, and the famous landmarks in Malolos. It has its own elementary school just in front of its local chapel. It’s one tricycle ride away from the school road in Sta. Isabel where Marcelo H. del Pilar National High School, Holy Spirit Academy of Malolos, and Holy Infant School. One jeepney ride away from Robinson’s Place Malolos, Vista Mall, Xentro Mall, Waltermart Malolos, and Bulacan State University. You can either ride two jeepneys to go to the local market, or you can ride a tricycle for less than a hundred pesos. This baranggay also rarely experiences flood even if the rain pours harder than usual, or if it’s a super typhoon that hits Region III. Also, despite Malolos City slowly becoming urbanized, you can still go for a walk to the paddy fields in this baranggay, not so far from the busy life of Malolos. You can still feel the fresh breeze of the air as if you were not in a city.

Aside from it’s geographical position, this baranggay is also peaceful it rarely has alarming issues such as robbery and other conflicts. However, there is no such thing as a perfect baranggay. Upon interviewing some residents, there are some issues that they wish to be solved immediately.

Photos of the respondents: