DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 17 July)—Expensive transportation costs have encouraged Tagum City residents to walk instead of using public transportation, netizens say.

Tagumenios expressed their walking and transportation experience while commenting to a Facebook post by MindaNews about the results of a walkability study.

Several users complained about the city’s inconsistent and high fare prices. The residents who interacted with the post elaborated on how financially burdening the fares are in an interview with MindaNews.

Many noted that most of their daily budget is allotted for transportation costs. Students with a daily allowance of 100 to 250 pesos are the most affected by this tight budgeting, leaving them little to no room for other expenses.

“Igo ra jud i-plete ang allowance, wa nay laag. Daghan jud naga reklamo na tungod sa kamahal kay bisan duol ra imong destination grabe ka pricey sab, plete pa lang, hubas na ang budget,” resident Kym Geral said. (The allowance is just enough for the fare, no more outings. Many people are complaining about the high costs because even though your destination is close, it’s still very expensive. Just the fare alone can deplete your budget.)

“Di nako ka streets foods, pero bitaw akong allowance is para na jud sa pamasahe tanan labi nag naay mga errands,” commented another resident, Jehoshaphat Mercado. (I can’t buy street foods anymore, but really, all my allowance is just for transportation, especially when there are errands to run.)

Despite the presence of pedicabs, Multicabs, motorcycles, and other modes of transportation, walking is seen as the only cost-saving option for Tagumenios to reduce their expenses

Others also pointed out the discrepancy between the official fare matrix and the prices that drivers charge. Many locals reported that drivers often charge them an extra 5 to 10 pesos per ride.

“When we say pampubliko, dapat diba mo tuman sa minimum fare na gina-declare sa city. So for Tagum, naa nana sa 15-20 pesos. Pero naa jud mga namasahero—pedicab and single motor ang gapangayo ug sobra,” a Geral added. (When we say public transportation, they should comply with the minimum fare declared by the city. For Tagum, it’s set at 15-20 pesos. However, there are drivers—both pedicab and single motor—who charge more than this amount.)

These issues led Tagum residents to walk or use private vehicles instead. “Dili na ko ganahan magcommute. Labaw na if daghan mi molakaw, like paadtog mall or naay paliton. Mas prefer na gyud namo magdala og sakyanan. Kung walay sakyanan, if makaya ra og baktas gikan sa isa ka lugar paadto sa sunod, baktason na lang gyud,” said local Jessica de Leon. (I don’t want to commute anymore. Especially if we’re traveling in a group, like going to the mall or to buy something. We really prefer to bring a car. If we don’t have a car and it’s possible to walk from one place to another, then we’ll just walk.)

Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) recently released a study about Tagum City’s walkability.

Results showed that Tagum’s streets are relatively walkable despite barriers such as obstructive objects, parked vehicles, sidewalk gaps, encroaching stalls, and unclear pedestrian signs.

Tagum residents served as citizen scientists, providing quantitative and qualitative data on their walking experience on certain streets within the city.

The gathered data showed that Tagum residents walk more than those living in other cities in Metro Davao. However, all cities have unsatisfactory walking experiences, with comfort levels below neutral: Tagum at 2.

8 percent, Davao at 2.5 percent, and Digos at 2.3 percent.

Despite the higher comfort levels in Tagum, most participants still feel uncomfortable walking.

To address this, IDIS recommended improved infrastructure and facilities for walking, strict regulation and implementation of traffic codes, and reducing walkability barriers to promote walking as a sustainable form of transportation.

“That’s why walking, is an alternative sustainable transportation kay apart from the zero carbon footprint, you’re giving the option for people to move [from] one place to another for free. The study focuses on the walking conditions, if kumusta ang kahimtang sa pedestrian sa paglakaw,” said IDIS environmental research officer Justin Pungyan. (That’s why walking is an alternative sustainable transportation option because, apart from having a zero carbon footprint, it allows people to move from one place to another for free. The study focuses on the walking conditions, looking into the state of pedestrians while walking.)

However, the residents also stressed the need for Tagum City’s local government unit to address the fares and transportation issues along with the city’s infrastructure for walking.

Residents recommended refresher seminars for drivers, hotlines for fare-related complaints, a rotation system for public vehicles, and strict enforcement of the fare matrix. (Kylene Faith Andales / UPMin BACMA Intern)