Go for modernization

When I was a little girl, the only instance when I rode a bus was during field trips, and I loved that. Every step I took up to the bus door was a joy, much more sitting down by the big windows and looking down at everything that passed by. As I grew older, I still looked forward to bus rides, especially when it was a trip down south. I like to look at the view and how the sea merges with the green scenery; there is so much that our province can offer.

We all deserve to find our joys in bus rides and not in some cramped up, old jeepney. Jeepneys take away the bliss in commuting because they are so backward --too hot, poorly maintained, and with little space. Although for now we have no other choice but to ride them on a daily basis, but we can do better than this.

So when the modernization program of the government rolled out, I thought it was actually a good idea. The beep buses that we see plying their routes near the call centers are actually doing the passengers a favor. What we need right now is a proper transport system. If we look at all the other Southeast Asian countries, they are advanced in how they ferry their citizens to and from their destinations, that's how they take care of their people.

While it is true that modernization entails costs, and sometimes at the expense of the drivers who merely want to make ends meet, it is time that we open our eyes to the many possibilities. They can go for a loan or tap cooperatives, among other options. My point is that we need to move forward. We can't stay stuck in the same old system that we are used to because we don't want to spend. True love entails sacrifice; and if we love our place and the people in it, I'm sure the sacrifice is just a tip of the iceberg.

I hope that complaining about the modernization program will come to an end. Yes, we can look at the issue and attack it from a critical perspective but let us also look at the common good. Everyone deserves a commuting experience that has no hassle.

And here's the thing, we should also stop fighting about whose idea is the best and not for what Cebu should have. We cannot have shallow minds mold the future of our place. Whether what we need today is a Bus Rapid Transit, monorail, or cable cars - we must put everything in perspective instead of throwing mud at each other. Remember that the future of Cebu is at stake.

My own car might not come in handy when the time comes for commuting to be very convenient. But while it is an everyday battle with traffic in the highway, I'd like to keep my hands to my own steering wheel and take control.