WHEN Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 6 director Atty. Gaudioso Geduspan II joined ordinary commuters on a jeepney ride from Pavia, Iloilo to Iloilo City, he did more than just follow a Department of Transportation (DOTr) directive — he took an important step toward bridging the widening gap between transport policy and public experience. His firsthand encounter with overcrowded, poorly maintained jeepneys goes beyond being symbolic or ceremonial; it was a needed “reality check” for those tasked with shaping the nation’s transportation system.
For years, commuters have endured daily indignities — cramped rides, erratic schedules, and deteriorating vehicles — while officials often view these problems only through data sheets and reports. The DOTr’s order requiring transport officials to take public rides at least once a week is, therefore, a refreshing and practical approach. It recognizes a truth that has long been overlooked: one cannot govern effectively from the comfort of an air-conditioned office or vehicle. To craft realistic and humane transport policies, policymakers must feel what commuters feel.
Geduspan’s observations that “nothing has changed” since his student days should serve as a wake-up call. Despite the billions poured into the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, the supposed improvements remain unseen by the riding public. Many modernized units continue to overload, traffic congestion worsens, and traditional jeepneys operate with minimal maintenance. This shows that modernization cannot succeed if it remains detached from real commuter experience.
Immersion breeds empathy — and empathy leads to better governance. When transport officials experience long waits under the sun, struggle to find seats, or watch fellow commuters squeezed like sardines, they gain a clearer sense of urgency. They begin to see that transport reform is not just about vehicle design, but about dignity, safety, and accessibility.
For this initiative to bear fruit, however, it must not end as a publicity exercise. It should be institutionalized and expanded — not just for regional directors, but for all policymakers, from traffic enforcers to department secretaries. Every ride should translate into feedback that shapes decisions on routes, schedules, and regulations.
Commuting is not only the lifeblood of the working Filipino — it is also the truest measure of how government policies touch daily lives. When officials share in that struggle, they are reminded that governance is not about convenience, but about service. And for once, perhaps, the long and crowded jeepney ride can lead to genuine reform on the road.
