Endless traffic misery

By Noel Galon de Leon

This is not just about traffic. This is about fairness, dignity, and the kind of life that every Ilonggo deserves. Every morning, as early as 4:30, our students are already up. Not because they want to, but because they have to. By 5:30, many are already by the roadside, hoping to catch a ride and make it to school on time. But no matter how early they wake or how hard they try; many still arrive late. The traffic in Iloilo City has become part of our daily lives, like a shadow we can’t escape, always there in the morning, noon, and night.

It is infuriating and heartbreaking to see hardworking Ilonggos, especially our youth, suffer daily under a system that has failed to evolve. What makes it more tragic is the silence of many of our elected officials. Are they not ashamed? Do they not see the long queues of students drenched in rain or scorched by heat, enduring both the elements and inefficiency? According to a 2023 report by the Department of Transportation and a local study from the University of the Philippines Visayas, the average Ilonggo commuter loses between 45 to 60 minutes per day stuck in traffic. This totals over 22 full days a year. For students and workers, that is time that could have been spent learning, resting, bonding with family, or simply living.

Let me outline the very real and personal consequences of this never-ending traffic nightmare. These are effects I witness daily in my classroom, in conversations with parents, during jeepney rides, and in the fatigue that never seems to leave the eyes of my fellow Ilonggos. For students and workers, the impact is chronic tardiness, reduced performance, and mental fatigue. A student who arrives late already feels defeated. A worker who clocks in late suffers deductions or disciplinary action. Over time, this breeds hopelessness and affects long-term motivation. For public transport drivers and operators, their daily income decreases, and their frustration rises. Jeepney and tricycle drivers spend more time idling in traffic than actually driving. With fewer trips completed, their daily earnings drop, making it harder to support their families. Traffic steals not just time, but also their livelihood.

Businesses and the local economy are also affected. Delays in deliveries, disrupted schedules, and increased operational costs are becoming the norm. When transport routes are inefficient, local businesses suffer. Iloilo, despite its rapid urban growth, risks losing its economic momentum due to poor mobility infrastructure. Public health is another area that suffers silently. Long hours spent in traffic heighten stress, fatigue, and the risk of respiratory problems caused by pollution. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Iloilo’s air quality in major intersections often exceeds safe thresholds during rush hours. These pollutants are especially dangerous to children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

Perhaps the most painful impact of all is on the family. The traffic crisis erodes family time and strains emotional bonds. Time lost in traffic is time not spent helping a child with homework, sharing a meal, or simply resting beside a loved one. It chips away at our humanity and the fundamental structure of our society. What pains me most is the apparent resignation of both the public and those in power. There have been countless studies, consultations, and public outcries, yet we see little to no sustainable change. As an educator, I teach my students to be problem-solvers, to think critically, to act responsibly, and never ignore a problem simply because it has always been that way. Can we say the same of our leaders?

I do not wish to generalize. I believe that some government workers care deeply and are doing what they can. But good intentions are not enough. The visible reality of endless traffic, wasted time, and frayed patience demands more than effort. It demands urgent and transformative action. Iloilo City is not just a city of heritage. It is a city of potential. But that potential is suffocating on our streets. We need an integrated urban traffic master plan, not just flyovers and road widening. We need serious investment in mass transportation alternatives, including modern jeepneys, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. We need transparent monitoring of road infrastructure projects and clearer accountability from traffic management authorities.

Most of all, we need leaders who will not only sit in boardrooms but also ride the jeepney at 6 a.m. with students, walk under the sun with vendors, and talk with the drivers at terminals. Only then will they feel what we feel. Only then will they understand that traffic is not a mere inconvenience but a crisis of equity, productivity, and dignity. Let us not accept this daily suffering as normal. Let us not normalize a system that punishes the disciplined and rewards indifference. If the young can rise before dawn and strive despite the odds, surely those in power can rise to the challenge of real leadership.

As an Ilonggo, as a teacher, and as a citizen, I speak not just to criticize but to call upon our shared humanity. We deserve better. More importantly, our students deserve a future unburdened by the failures of our present.