Group 12

Punzalan, Mark Eidelle

Quimson, Jay Christian D.
Ramos, Symon Kim C.

Traffic Congestion a Major Cause of Economic Losses

Here in the Philippines, traffic has been a part of the daily lives of Filipino commuters. No
matter what time it is in the day, traffic is always present. An everyday struggle can be seen on the
roads. Filipino commuters such as students and employees have been dealing it whenever they
need to attend class or work. It may be seen that traffic is a common scenario in everyday life here
in the Philippines, but some people still get to be irritated and angry with the traffic congestion. A
traffic congestion may be classified as light, moderate, and heavy traffic. In most roads used by
public utility vehicles (PUV), traffic can be considered to be light or moderate at some times.
Commuters who experiences a moderate traffic after work tends to get agitated due to a long hours
of travel to arrive at their homes. There are some who shows indifference with the ongoing traffic
while onboard a public utility vehicle (PUV).

Local and Foreign studies have been conducted about the traffic congestion here in the
Philippines. Survey on commuters are being conducted every year. Rerouting schemes have been
conducted numerous times to reduce traffic. Engineering students can be seen sometimes at the
curb of some roads. They tally the number of vehicles passing a certain road. Sometimes MMDA
personnel can be seen doing this kind of job. This method of observation is quantitative in aspect.
Meaning, this is all done to gather information regarding the volume of vehicles passing a certain
road. These studies are focused on gathering the immensity of vehicle population, then using it to
estimate vehicle passing every roads, and then using these data to plan for a better traffic scheme
or road widening projects.

The studies conducted regarding traffic congestion may seemed to be hard work. A lot of
personnel must be deployed to gather information. A lot of private institution are to be hired to
conduct these studies. Where does the results go after these? The answer is the economic sector of
the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Public Works and
Highways, and lastly the Department of Transportation. The studies made by the engineering
students and professionals are being used by these institutions. These studies does not only
quantify the vehicles of passing a road, but also other factor influencing a traffic buildup. The
Department of Labor and Employment used these studies to relate the performance of workers to
who experiences an everyday traffic. Meanwhile, the department of Public Works and Highways
use these studies to verify if public roads must be repaired, rehabilitated or closed-off. On the hand,
Department of Transportation use these studies to plan traffic reduction schemes, rerouting
schemes, road widening projects, road safety action plans and many others. Last of all, the
economic sector used the data regarding traffic experienced by roads to relate it with the losses
incurred.

Road is defined as a way leading from one place to another. Now, let’s relate road to
commercial goods. Commercial goods are products made locally or may be imported from other
countries, it may also be products to be exported to other countries. Some products come from a
very far place. Some may not originated from our country. These products are needed by us
consumers. Due to consumer demand, products need to be transported to anywhere the demand
originated from. Roads simply acts as a path for these transported goods. What happens to these
goods will be equated to gain or loss. If transported goods reached its destination as early as
possible, it will be a good thing for the manufacturer and distributor. This means that there is no
delay of operation, less transport time, reduced transportation expenses, and more transport of
good can be made. This all equates to more gain in profit. Now, let’s focused if traffic interferes
in the transport of the commercial goods. This means a delay of transport, deterioration of crop
goods, additional transportation expenses, etc. This all equates to loss in profit. In a broader aspect,
a profit may be known as economic gain. A loss of profit may be known as economic loss.

Traffic is generally a problem of all commuters, but businessmen are also affected
indirectly. Many industries here in the Philippines are affected by the traffic congestion. These
industries not only support their selves and their employees but also our country. As a result, what
affects the economic statuses of these industries also affects that of the Philippines. It is why this
thesis paper focused solely on the reasons explaining why traffic congestion causes economic
losses for the Philippines. Thus, this thesis paper is entitled “Traffic Congestion a Major Cause of
Economic Losses”.