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IT IS DELIGHTING to read about government officials– regardless of positions (although the higher their post, the better)– commuting to work through the Metro Rail Transit or the Light Rail Transit or even the bus traversing EDSA through the Bus Carousel at least once each week.
This is to make them grounded about the difficult realities facing the ordinary taxpayers and commuters and reduce the gasoline expenses for being ferried to office or their appointments for the day and back home.
Of course they would argue that it would be demeaning for their positions. But who said commuting is such a shameful effort when this reality is what brings out actual facts about our daily transport woes.
The problem with our government official is that when they reach the top post, they think they are entitled to perks and incentives not otherwise available to the ordinary public servants, whose pay come from the taxpayers– and that is from all of us, including the poorest of the poor who pay for value added tax for every item or service they avail of in society.
They should realize that as servant leaders, they must exude humility and genuine interest in the affairs of the general public than just aspire to always be pampered by virtue of their position.
“In Metro Manila, it is not unusual for commuters to experience snake-like queues and jampacked public utility vehicles (PUVs) and trains while traveling to and from work … for a stricter immersion in public transport systems, public officials must imbibe humility and the desire for genuine public service. After all, a great leader is a great follower and a humble servant.”
CACDAC DOES IT
Last January 23, a Reddit user posted the photo/caption of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac standing holding a handrail inside the MRT on his way to Shaw from Ayala Avenue. He captioned the photo on his FB account: “Yesterday evening, MRT at rush hour. Ayala to Shaw in 15 minutes (smiling emoticon).”
It was clear from the photo that people around him did not recognize him as no one looked at him, they were busy conversing with each other.
The Reddit user wrote: “Seeing public appointed officials commuting with the public is something that I see as a good move to let them immerse on the hardship ng mga taong nasa laylayan ng lipunan.”
“I still do wish that more *ehem HoR [House of Representatives], *ehem Senate, *ehem Malacañang public officials do the same. Just sharing lang, and to Sec. Cacdac, kudos po,” the Redditor added.
Others also took to the discussion thread to praise Cacdac’s initiative.
“Very good example nonetheless,” another Redditor said.
“Pero ito na sana [‘yung] good start sa mga head ng government para maramdaman nila gaano kahirapmag-commute. lalong lalo na head ng DOTr (Giovanni Lopez),” the Reddit user added.
“Sana magkaroon ng batas na lahat ng government officials are mandatory to only use public transportation going to work daily,” still another Redditor commented.
NO SPECIAL TREATMENT
Another one noted that Cacdac had “no security [and] no special treatment? If that’s the case, then this is great. Sana dadaming government officials ang mag-public commute rin frequently, hindi ‘yong for picture-picture lang,” another user commented.
“That’s good! I-level up sana nila ‘yung pagmo-monitor. Isama nila sa time ‘yung lakad, plus, time sapagpila… Lalo na sa Ayala [Station], ang liit-liit ng platform dun, parang hindi pa peak ng rush ‘yung nasapicture,” wrote another.
“Allow people like him to normalize and set an example kasi the more of them use it, the more it becomes possible na malaman nila woes ng common people,” another Reddit user suggested.
“More Cabinet members should be commuting regularly. Good job, Sec. Cacdac,” another said.
UNCOMMON FOR PUBLIC EXECS
It is uncommon for government officials to take public transportation, as most prefer to use their service/office or private vehicles for convenience and reduced security risks.
The MRT is the busiest rail line because it traverses EDSA, a major highway in Metro Manila that passes through six cities where many Filipinos work.
As a result, it is among the most congested train lines, serving thousands of passengers daily.
Last year, there was a push for “stricter immersion” of government officials in public transportation after Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered executives of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to commute at least once a week on their way to work.
The initiative required department officials to use available public transportation weekly from their residences to their places of work.
Lopez said the program aimed to allow DOTr officials to gain “first-hand experience in the operations of various modes [of] public transportation to better understand the predicaments of the community or riding public.”
In Metro Manila, it is not unusual for commuters to experience snake-like queues and jampacked public utility vehicles (PUVs) and trains while traveling to and from work.
I think for a stricter immersion in public transport systems, public officials must imbibe humility and the desire for genuine public service. After all, a great leader is a great follower and a humble servant.