MY BEEP experience, or the lack of Beep, happened at 6:20 p.m. on January 11, 2018. It was rush hour and several units did pass by. But the Beeps were packed like sardines. My plan to try riding one became a strolling adventure.
I thought of taking the Beep after work from Sitio Panagdait in Mabolo because the route of the said vehicles goes all the way to our house in Barangay Banawa. The plan came about because my dear “kumander” borrowed my car. The plan got me excited.
But that chance to ride a Beep -- which would have been my only chance as I drive my own car -- became a misadventure instead. After more than 25 minutes of waiting for the Beep, none passed by. I decided to walk, hoping to hop on one if it passed by so I can take my ride home.
I walked to the Ayala Center, exiting to Archbishop Reyes Ave., then on to Gen. Maxilom Ave. until I reached Rajah Park in Fuente Osmeña – there still was no Beep. This was a sweaty walk, which took me about 25 minutes.
This strolling adventure is unique for me but not for most commuters. I saw many of them along the way waiting for their ride home. It was sad knowing that they must be longing to immediately go home to their families after a long day at work. Also, they are exposing themselves to the weather, the fumes polluting the air, the bad elements and what have you.
Whose responsibility is it to take care of these people? They are citizens of this republic. They toiled long and hard to contribute to the economic progress of our motherland so that we will no longer be the laughing stock of Asia. In fact, our gross domestic product grew, hitting an average of six percent growth in the last seven or eight years (we are no longer Asia’s laughing stock).
These very same people are among the reasons for our growth. They ought to be rewarded. Yet, what is their reward for all their hard work and sacrifice? Waiting for hours for a ride home to their families after a long day of work? Getting sick from rain and pollution? Getting mugged in the streets?
Who is responsible for all these “kapalpakans” in our public transportation system? We elect our government officials to their posts so they can foresee the need of ordinary citizens. What have they done?
The elections are just around the corner. Let us take a long hard look at these candidates and their track record of integrity and competence. Perhaps we should also ask, are they willing to die for us? If the President is willing to kill to save our country, why won’t a government official be willing to die for his or her job just to be able to reward well the citizens of this republic? I may be half-joking just like our President, but the other half of my statement is serious.
Well, I never got my Beep adventure. I took a taxi going home, but not without waiting for another hour. Wake up fellow citizens of this republic. (Michael Yu)