Clamor

I went about my usual route yesterday, Monday, from Consolacion to Cebu City. In anticipation of heavy traffic up ahead, I was mentally preparing myself. It was not just for the long drive, but also for what topics I could brainstorm along the way. The crawl of vehicles has, in many ways, become part of my thinking routine (as an overthinker myself). However, it was unusually smooth sailing, with fewer vehicles than usual. While it gave me more leeway and cut down my travel time, I could not help but feel a tinge of sadness for those who were no longer on the road. I am assuming that a majority of them are public utility drivers who have chosen, or have been forced, to stay home.

Transport workers were quick to air out their clamor in front of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. It seems that the promised fuel subsidy has yet to arrive. I recall the palace press officer making the same promise during her visit to Cebu. In fact, there were numerous subsidies pledged for different sectors. However, until now --three weeks into the tension in the Middle East-- many are still receiving nothing. It is no brainer that it will be difficult to move forward as oil prices continue to rise, especially on days when adjustments are announced. I have come to loathe Tuesdays because of this.

Again, we find ourselves pushed against the wall by the seemingly slow pace of the government in addressing the concern. They keep saying they are validating, coordinating, or awaiting guidelines, as if not every day matters. But for those who rely heavily on transportation, every minute counts. Every passenger matters, as well as every peso earned. No wonder many jeepneys have begun implementing their own provisional fare increases, even without approval from the LTFRB. They cannot afford to wait. Their stomachs and their families cannot wait any longer to have food on the table.

I am dumbfounded as to how we are expected to navigate this situation, especially with the Lenten season approaching. Many of my friends joke that instead of doing church visits, we might as well go from one gasoline station to another, praying that prices go down. Others are canceling vacations, trips, and even that long-overdue break because fuel costs have exceeded their budgets. By this week, it feels like it is no longer just about tightening our belts. Even the buckle has become too painful to pull any tighter.

We do not know how many protests and noise barrages it will take before urgent action is taken. The national government should begin treating this as a national emergency instead of downplaying the situation with reassurances that everything is under control. Big businesses may have the capacity to stay afloat for a while, but the ordinary Filipino does not have that luxury. A decisive step must be taken, not tomorrow, not next week, but now. This is to ease the burden and address the struggle that so many are already reeling from.