“Mindanao Railway System: Modern Revolution of Davao”

An Argumentative Research Paper

Presented to:
Benedict V. Omblero, Ph.D.

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

Purposive Communication
MW 9:20AM – 10:50AM

Presented by:
Colanggo, Eljen
Dagala, Khrys
Lavarias, Lorenz
 According to the Manila Bulletin (2015) one major issue that the Philippines
faces aside from poverty and corruption is traffic congestion. Traffic congestion is
a term utilized when numerous vehicles are obstructed in one spot, and there is
very slow or no movement (Kockelman, 2004). On roads, traffic congestion can be
because of extreme cars from various bearings, sometimes even causing
deadlock. It is a costly issue, particularly in Davao City. Billions of pesos are wasted
due to traffic congestion, which happens regularly. Not only money is lost;
however, individuals who drive getting down to business lose time that could have
been utilized to earn money, and energy (Essay,UK., 2018)
The leading causes of traffic congestion are overpopulation, absence of
urban street planning, broadly utilizing private vehicles, road capacity, and
insufficient and inadequate public transport. As a result of previous causes, an
enormous effect on the environment, human health, and economy. As an instance
of environmental impact, air and sound pollution leading to individuals suffering
from heart disease, asthma, and lung cancer.
Besides, time loss, the vehicle consumes more energy and reduces
productivity is the prevailing economic effect. Numerous arrangements are
considered to tackle traffic issues. The most appropriate alternatives built by some
towns are underground metro, using public transport, expanding the ability of
highways, reducing second-hand import cars, and improving traffic light signals.
The city built a solution correctly to reduce or curb traffic jams.
Global Issue
Schneider (2018) says that in the United States alone, last year's
congestion cost $305 billion, up to $10 billion from 2016. That's the broad,
unfortunate takeaway from the transportation consulting company INRIX's largest
ever research of worldwide vehicle traffic. With five terabytes of information on
1,360 towns in 38 nations, the study gives a robust empirical understanding of how
much traffic congestion costs individual in cities and drivers. Not amazingly, on
the largest, most economically vibrant towns, traffic requires the most significant
financial toll. These figures are due, among other variables, to the reduced
productivity of trafficked employees, the enhanced cost of transportation of
products through congested regions, and all that wasted energy.
Even if motorists do not pay the actual vehicle travel expenses immediately,
other tolls, both external (air pollution) and internal (stress), are driven accurately.
Nevertheless, these implications do not seem to be sufficient to prevent any
individual from riding: As petrol rates stay small, traveled car miles continues to
raise- the 3.2 trillion miles in the U.S. last year represent an all-time high.
National Issue
An article in Rapple (2017), in Metro Manila, commuters and motorists are
like spending more than an hour, on average, in traffic every day, putting the 3rd
worst traffic in Southeast Asia in the Philippines ' capital area. This was among the
results of the latest survey undertaken by the worldwide company Boston
Consulting Group (BCG) as part of research called "Unlocking Cities." The
research, sponsored by Uber ridesharing platform, looks at Southeast Asia's effect
of ridesharing. The associated study was conducted between September and
October, encompassing about 300 Southeast Asian towns participants. The study
positions Metro Manila 3rd worst in the region, with daily traffic stuck an average
of 66 minutes. It arrives after the worst traffic in Bangkok, Thailand (72 minutes),
and the second-worst traffic in Jakarta, Indonesia (68 minutes). Singapore (30
minutes) and Hong Kong (35 minutes) are the highest performances in terms of
transportation. In Metro Manila, in addition to the 66-minute traffic experience,
riders also waste an average of 24 minutes looking for parking each day.
Local Issue
In Davao City, Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office
(CTTMO) said that the growing amount of cars on the highways is one of the
factors for the stronger traffic in the town. According to CTTMO director Dionisio
Abude, several other variables add to the city's deteriorating traffic situation, such
as continuing highway building/repair, bridge repair, widening, and undisciplined
riders. Due to the continuing subterranean cabling work of Davao Light and Power
Company (DLPC), which seeks to eliminate unsightly electrical and
telecommunications wires on the town roads, heavy traffic is mainly found in
downtown regions. Currently, the project is on its first alongside C.M Recto St.,
where the intersection between San Pedro St. and covered along R. Magsaysay
Avenue. Abude said they are now draining up plans to mitigate the city’s
congestion and suggest it to the local government (Revita, 2019).
A new house bill was proposed to take an intervention caused by traffic
congestion in the city. House bill No. 123 – an act creating the Mindanao railway
corporation, prescribing its power, function, and duties, and providing for the
necessary funds for its operation. Considering Davao's adverse traffic status,
an alternative train transportation scheme must be enforced.

Environment-friendly means of transportation. Environment-friendly

means of transportation are transports that generate less damaging environmental
effects than free cars. Rail or train transport is the most environment-friendly way
to travel. The greenhouse effect on rail transport of gas emissions per kilometer is
80 percent lower than that of usual vehicles. It performs a significant part in
addressing the problems of the environment. It can improve air quality, reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, and saves energy (FTA, 2016).
Improve air quality. By decreasing overall vehicle emissions and smog-
creating pollutants, rail transport can assist metropolitan areas in fulfilling national
air quality standards. In urban and suburban regions where traffic congestion is
the worst, air quality is often the poorest. This has meant that residents of these
areas, particularly those living close to major roads or highways, face significantly
higher health risks due to poor air quality. Public transportation can decrease the
need for many distinct journeys in populated metropolitan regions by personal
cars, replacing many different emission-producing cars with fewer transit cars that
usually emit less pollution per individual.

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Train transportation can reduce

greenhouse gas emissions by moving more people with fewer vehicles. On
average, heavy rail transportation, such as subways and metros, produces 76
percent reduced greenhouse gas emissions per passenger mile than a single-
occupancy average car (SOV). Light rail systems yield 62% less, and bus transit
generates 33% less. Transit can also decrease greenhouse gas pollution by
enabling compact growth, preserving property, and reducing the distances that
individuals need to move to locations. Also, transit decreases emissions from
vehicles that are stuck in traffic by reducing congestion. Finally, by using efficient
cars, alternative fuels, and reducing the effect of project building and service
activities, transit can minimize its greenhouse gas pollution.

Saves Energy. Fuel can be saved by sharing trips through rail transport. It
also reduces the need to build more transportation infrastructure, manufacture
brand-new cars, and extract more fossil fuels, which means more energy savings
and less impact on the environment. As cars caught in gridlock waste fuel and
produce emissions, congestion relief from transit also saves gas. The transport
industry is one of the world's primary energy consumers. With many developing
globe countries growing in energy use, demand for scarce assets is increasingly
outstripping the availability accessible. As cars caught in gridlock waste fuel and
produce emissions, congestion relief by using transit also saves gas.
Considering the beneficial impacts of rail transport, railway design and
operation imply modifications in the surrounding landscape that change
microclimate, soil and hydrological dynamics and contribute to the degradation of
natural habitat for many animals. The primary problems induced by railways during
operation are air, land and water pollution, as well as noise and vibration, which
can change the abundance of organisms and animals (e.g., Penone 2012; Clauzel
2013).
Air Pollution. Traffic gas emissions are a significant cause of environmental
pollution worldwide. These emissions are primarily dependent on the sort of gas
and transport. Potential causes of rail-related contaminants include diesel exhaust
and brake, wheel, and rail abrasion, as well as mineral transport dust and handled
railway linkage (Levengood et al. 2015).
Soil Pollution. Emissions from transport have become one of the most
significant causes of heavy metal, PAHs and herbicides in the soil with the rise in
human population and cars. Combustion of fuel, abrasion of vehicles and track
materials, and spilled goods emit particles comprising metals stored in the soil,
where they can stay for many years owing to their small biodegradability (Zhang
et al. 2012).
Water Pollution. Railway-related infrastructures (e.g., petroleum product
leakage from fuel storage tanks) add to aquatic ecosystems along with pollutants
In rivers bisected or bound by railways, Levengood (2015) reported elevated levels
of PAHs and heavy metals. They showed that the downstream level of PAH was
higher than that of the railway upstream (Levengood 2015). They also discovered
that concentrations of phenanthrene and dibenzo (a, h) anthracene (a PAH
component) were a danger to aquatic life at some locations, whereas the values
of chromium (Cr) were still below levels of concern for marine life.
Despite the adverse impacts of railways, rail transport has a comparatively
excellent environment record in many ways. So, deciding to travel by train rather
than by vehicle, one makes a personal contribution immediately to minimize the
environmental impact. And every contribution count, however small it may be.

Equipping the city with a train transportation system also provides less
traffic jam to the main road. It takes up less space than cars, accommodate more
people than the regular transport system we use, and travels faster than the
current transportation system.
Having a train transportation system does not take much space as highways
for cars do. According to ANSA East Asia and Pacific’s Monitoring Guide for
Roads, the standard width of highways in the Philippines for a two-way traffic is
6.10 meters long. This means an estimated of 3 meters per lane considering it is
a 1 lane road (back and forth). In Davao City, most of its highway has 4-6 lanes
connecting the entire City. Not only that we have to consider the main road, the
cars using it also takes up parking space. The standard space for a parking lot in
the Philippines is 2.4 by 5 meters long. Multiplying this by how many private and
public cars there are surely takes a lot of space. Some even park on the streets.
The standard width of a train track is only 4 ft wide which is significantly less than
of the highway. Since a train is also naturally fast, it would encourage commuters
to use it, making the highways less congested.
A train system can also accommodate more people than the regular
transportations do in the Philippines. According to the Development of Customized
Local Road Vehicle (CLRV) Standards in the Philippines, the standard width of a
jeepney is 11 meters long with a maximum height of 4 meters. That is roughly 23
passengers at most. A Light Rail Transit on the other hand based on the
General Guidelines for the Design of Light Rail Transit Facilities in Edmonton
being 23 meters long can accommodate 160-200 passengers. This roughly 3-4
times a jeepney can carry. This difference is very significant especially in Davao
where there is a rapid growth in volume of cars and expanding the road is
becoming a problem due to establishments being close to it.
Riding a train is faster than a jeepney. Both can travel at a regulated speed
of around 40-60kph on their respective area, but a train is somehow better. It might
be true that they can travel at the same speed, but with the very congested
highways in the Philippines, it is sometimes impossible to even reach the standard
limit for these 4-wheeled vehicles. A train is systematically organized to travel
smoothly even with the presence of other trains in the track. In Manila, The Light
Rail Transit system or LRT has their trains travelling within an interval of 4 mins,
enough for each to react and reduce speed to avoid collision may danger might
occur.
Having a train with no traffic jams comes with its different downsides. Train
tracks takes time to build, has its stops defined at different terminals, and you have
to secure for your ticket and wait for your turn before riding it.
Since having a train is new to Davao, it would first start with building the
path where the train would be, and other details of the train system itself. Unlike
the current roads, there is already a defined path where the cars can travel and it
is just a matter of maintenance or reinforcing the old ones when engineers are
involved. Building a train system will take a lot of time. According to Philstar Global
the first LRT and MRT construction in Manila took place on 1981 and was opened
to public on 1984. Regardless of how long, it will take almost the same time
considering the terminals and clearing of its path.
A train strictly follows stopping within terminals. Considering there are other
trains using the track, you cannot stop just anytime or anywhere to get or unload
passengers as it might lead to unwanted events. Jeepneys have much nearer
stops that covers a closer gap within each destination. This means that you can
stop directly or near your destination than riding a train.
Riding a train cost more than a jeepney. The train ticket depends on varying
destinations, but train tickets are more expensive than jeepney fare. According to
the department of Transportation for Light Rail Transit Authority in Manila, the first
4 km ride for the LRT is already 15 pesos. The first 4 km for jeepney fare is just 8
pesos. These numbers would vary at different distance and rate but there is an
observable difference with the numbers.

The establishment of a train transport system can also lead to the

economic development of the city. It can help the government to easily earn
from the commuter’s fare, speed up communications/ transactions, and enhance
job accessibility.

An example of a train transport system in the Philippines is the Manila’s

Light Rail Transit system where it officially started in the year 1878. In the present,
having two-line rails with 10 trains, each with 1250 capacity, it has a yearly
passenger ridership of 250 million and a daily average ridership of 180 thousand.
Given with a fare of 11 to 15 pesos per station, this Train has an average revenue
of 3.3 billion from the train system itself and other businesses it created. Given this
revenue, it has a net income of 1.6 billion pesos (Authority, 2018).
Given the income of 1.6 billion pesos of income, this shows that a modern
transportation system like the train system can help the government in earning
profit from the fare of the commuters daily.
 Increasing the income of the city government and reducing the average fare
of the commuter can be of a great help and a motivation to people to support and
choose the train system compared to other transport system.

The train transport system can also speed up communications/

transactions. Compared with jeepney it also has a regulated speed of 30-60 kph
yet having its rails above the ground, it doesn’t experience traffic congestions and
unexpected stops due to car accidents on the road (Valdez, 2019). It can easily
transport goods and decrease travel time for commuter’s which are travelling to
their workplaces. Also, the train system can be a solution to the problem during
peak hours as Davao City commuter’s experience overpopulated jeepneys and
buses or being late from school/ work due to fully occupied jeepneys (Apique,
2017). Speeding up the travel time of people can make them more efficient at work
and also increase rest and work time.

The creation of train system can also help new businesses to emerge thus
increases opportunity for cities to develop. One example of a business that can
emerge is rentals near the train stations and franchises. Like for example, the
Manila Light Rail Transit System earns around 200-300 million yearly from
advertisements and space rentals in the station. These businesses stated can offer
new job opportunities for people. Also, when considering that the train system can
travel to different nearby cities faster, job opportunities will also be increased.
People from Davao City, can work to agricultural lands outside the city without any
hassle and people far away from Davao can find office work and other types in the
city. The train system can also help students which are from provinces which has
less opportunities when it comes to studying for their dream job and work. They
can easily travel from home to school and it can reduce expenses as students don't
need to rent a house or an apartment to stay.

Yet, the government can earn much from the commuter’s fare, it requires a
great sum of money to be invested in the building of a train system. It takes years
or a decade to reach the return of investment. Also, given a large amount of
revenue from the system, it also leads to a large amount of expenses from
materials, maintenance, overhead and salaries of the people.

Also, speeding up communications/ transaction in the long run caused by

the train system is a good benefit but it can also cause interruptions of some
communication and transaction while the system is under construction and it can
cause some destruction where the train system is being built. According to Pilapil
(2018), some residents of Davao City protest against the Mindanao Railway
Project as the railway will be built along their lands. This report shows that even in
the planning of the alignment of the railway, residents are against the train system
for it can cause an increase of noise in the area and destruction of their lands which
can lead to moving of people to other areas.

Lastly, the train system can also reduce job opportunity most especially
from competing transportation system which are buses, jeepneys and vans.
According to Rappler (2019), the Davao city bus system are going to affect 7,000
jeepney drivers and can cause loss of livelihoods for people. When most people
choose the train system rather than jeepneys, which has the most number in the
Philippines and even in Davao City, some drivers will lose their jobs and find
another job to make a living. Jeepney driver can have a problem in reaching their
daily quota in order to pay for the rental and gasoline expense of their jeepney.

The establishment of a new railway transportation system in Davao City can

address traffic by providing an environment- friendly means of transportation, less
traffic jam to the main road, and a more positive economic development of the city.

Making use of a railway system consequently have a positive and negative

impact in the condition of the environment. It is an energy efficient transportation
that improves the quality of air while reducing the overall greenhouse gas emission
of the society. It does so by decreasing the need of people to use personal cars
and the usual jeepney transport used in Davao. This would mean that having a
fewer people to use such means of transportation can lessen its overall emission
of greenhouse gas and saving its fuel needed to travel. Yet, this transportation
comes with its negative effects polluting the soil, water, and air by releasing its own
material output like any cars do. Despite having these negative effects, the amount
of people it can accommodate compared to a great volume of car with few
passenger means that it releases significantly less negative output making it a
better transportation.

This alternative transportation also reduce traffic jams by accommodating

huge amount of people in such a smaller width of track compared to the regular
highway yet a much faster mode than the usual jeepney people use. The downside
of this alternative transportation is the construction of the railway itself that would
take time, and finding the right area to build the whole system of rails across the
city. Regardless, having this being constructed would really save people the time
and hassle to go to different places they should be any time.
Regarding the economic growth of the city itself, having a train
transportation system would increase the economic value of the city given its high
amount of paying passengers per run, while increasing the speed of
communication for business transactions, and providing new outlets for other
business to emerge. Despite these given positive results, it would still take time,
just like other businesses, for it to recover its capital. It might also take away jobs
from some jeepney drivers, but would anyway give alternative ones in the
construction and the actual operation of the business itself.
Overall, the positive result outweighs the negative ones. This means that
having an alternative transportation system like the train transportation would really
give benefit to the City of Davao in terms of environment, current state of traffic,
and the economic value. These benefits would not be instantly observed, but giving
it a little time would really result to positive outcomes.
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