Study: Most Filipinos use own car than commute

CEBU, Philippines - A recent study commissioned by the National Economic and Development Authority revealed that majority of Filipinos prefer to use their own car to travel to places than using public transportation.

This was one of the salient results from a 2015 nationwide survey that was presented yesterday during a media forum attended by several government information officers at Ecotech Center in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

NEDA-7 director Efren Carreon said that majority or 77 percent of Filipinos chose to ride their own car if they travel. Only 23 percent prefers to use public transport.

A study was undertaken to determine the aspirations of the Filipino people for the next 25 years. It was aimed to further develop the collective long term vision to guide policy makers.

The program was dubbed as “AmBisyon Natin 2040.”

“Filipinos want to be mobile. Mobility in day-to-day living and for leisure is important for Filipinos. Car ownership is part of many families’ vision of their future,” Carreon said.

Carreon said that this aspiration of Filipino families is one of the contributors of the traffic congestion experienced today by most urban areas like Metro Cebu.

He, however, said that preference of means of transport may change if innovative public transportations are developed like rapid transit or existing public transport modes are improved like buses.

“We need more efficient and more comfortable public transport system,” said Carreon.

If this is achieved, he believes that this might change the public’s perspective of public transport.

He said that what is notable in the study was the preference of dwellings of the respondents. He said majority of the respondents prefer to dwell in big cities or in the town center in the province.

Another contributory factor to traffic congestion is the rapid urbanization due to fast economic growth. (FREEMAN)