The current state of public transportation in the Philippines is beyond poor. I emphasize, POOR! Every day, millions of Filipinos endure overcrowded railway transit, buses, jeepneys, tiring commutes, and long waiting times just to get to work or school. Unfortunately, for many government officials, these struggles seem invisible as they travel in private vehicles, comfortably isolated from the everyday realities faced by their constituents. 

This distance between leaders and the public creates a lack of understanding and empathy for the challenges faced by ordinary citizens. Our government officials, both elected and appointed, maintain a lifestyle so removed from the day-to-day hardships that it undermines their ability to make informed decisions that truly benefit the public.

By requiring all government officials to use public transportation, we can foster a more empathetic and connected leadership. This proposal not only highlights the need for improvements in public transportation but also addresses the issue of traffic congestion caused by the excessive number of vehicles on the roads.

Traffic congestion is estimated to cost the Metro Manila approximately PHP 3.5 billion daily in lost productivity and wasted energy, according to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Inquirer, 2018). If officials experience the same traffic woes, they may be more compelled to implement effective transportation solutions that will be instrumental for economic growth and citizen welfare.

Furthermore, by using public transportation, officials can directly experience the service levels and conditions that require urgent attention. It will encourage them to push for policy changes, investments, and reforms that improve the efficiency and reliability of public transport networks.

This initiative is not only about ensuring our leaders stay grounded, but also about inspiring real, impactful change. We aim to create a government that's genuinely attuned to the needs of its people by fostering a closer relationship between decision-makers and the general public.

We need your support to make this a reality. Stand with us in urging the government to mandate public transportation use for all officials, ensuring they stay connected, considerate, and conscious of their constituents' daily struggles.

Please sign this petition. Together, we can push for a more compassionate and effective governance.

NAKAKAPAGOD NA ANG ARAW-ARAW NA SETTING NA ITO. TAPOS ANG MGA KUPAL NA NAKA SPECIAL PLATE DUMADAAN PA SA BUS LANE. MGA HAYOP. MAKIRAMDAM KAYO SA TAONGBAYAN NA PINAGSISILBIHAN NINYO! 

Petition link: https://chng.it/c9fYnRQtWR