The SONA's missing mobility message

WHAT were commuters expecting the President to say at the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA)? Commuters hoped the President would say that he understood their plight, that the welfare of commuters was a top priority and that his administration's programs were designed to bring meaningful relief soon.

At the SONA, Filipinos were told about many large infrastructure projects and the huge spending for railways, airports and road infrastructure. For the everyday commuter (those who comprise the many millions who rely on walking, cycling or public transportation), these initiatives will not alleviate their mobility problems any time soon. While railway projects are badly needed, they still take many years to build and are costly (most of the large ones will only be completed in the next administration). Airports serve mainly those with the means to travel by air (not the average Filipino). Road and bridge infrastructure is planned and constructed mainly for the use of four-wheeled motor vehicles (even though only 6 percent of Filipino households are car owners).