Same Storm; Different Boat

According to British writer Damian Barr, “We are not all in the same boat. We are all in the same storm. Some are on super-yachts. Some have just the one oar.”

The gradual convalescence of our nation in the pandemic is the reason why the Commission on Higher Education allowed Tarlac State University and other institutions to conduct blended learning, or merge face-to-face classes and on line classes. However, given that there is blended learning, students are facing hurdles, aside from academics, the expensive fare adds a burden for them.

Even before the oil price hike hits the country, there has already been an increase in the minimum fare on public utility vehicles. It starts when the pandemic comes, due to the COVID-19 virus, the government-imposed guide lines, and restrictions to cease or at least suppress the transmission of the said virus, such as physical distancing, and there is only one member of the family that is allowed to go outside to buy commodities needed for the whole family. Consequently, this had a massive effect not only on the commuters but also on the public transportation drivers since their trip slacks, and as for the commuters, the minimum fare doubled its original price. For example, the minimum fare before the pandemic for a jeep was 8 PHP; during the pandemic, it had already climbed to 16 PHP.

Charley Terrado is a fourth-year student commuter from Sta. Ignacia; his fare before the pandemic was only 25 pesos; however, when the pandemic started up until now, he has paid 46–49 pesos. Let’s just say his travel expenses cost around 100 PHP back and forth. “Malaki ang increase oo, pero I understand din naman kasi nga limited yung passengers na pwede nilang itake, tiis-tiis na sa mahal na pamasahe, until bumalik na sa dati,” he said of the fare. “Kahitbumaliknanga yungpunuansajeepatbus,ganunpadinangpamsaheeh. Ewankobakungkelanbabalikangpamasahesadatihahaha” he joked.

Other students from CPAG own cars or have drivers send them to school. They have a plentiful allowance, so it is no has sle for their travel. Student A drives her car to go to school; even so, her problem is parking, given that if she commutes, she says, “Perfekyungpamasahe,paranaakongnag-McDo.” Student B has a driver to send him to school, and he said, still, it’s fine with him if he com mutes. Student C can either drive her car or just commute. According to her, it is okay if she commutes since her allowance per day is 500 PHP and her travel expenses cost around 100 PHP to 120 PHP.

However, other students are not fine with the surge of fares, just like Mr. V. His fare used to be around 40 PHP before the pandemic, but it is now between 62 and 65 PHP. His allowance given by his parents is only 100 PHP, sometimes 120 PHP. When asked about the fare increase, he stated, “Sahirapngbuhay, masmahalpasabilihinlalonakapagmalayo.”Bilangisanges tudyantesapagtaasngbilihinatpamasaheayisangmahirap nabalakid,lalonasamgasaktolngangbaonnapinagkakasya arawaraw..imbisnamaymatitipidpaaykasamanarinsagastos angdapatnamatitira”

While Mr. Sean Michael De Vera spends 60–70% of his allowance on travel expenses, “walanamanmagagawaasanindividual, kundimagworrynalang,walanadaliinflationeh,” he said, referring to the increase in fares and inflation.

It is true then that students may face the same storms in life, like the pandemic and increase in fares due to oil price hikes but are not in the same boat since others are on oar who face bad economic situations, and some students are in super-yacht who’s lucky to have the resources they need, as they navigate their journey to achieve their dreams. The convalescence of our nation may also reinvigorate students to strive harder for their goals in life. COVID-19, the price hike of oils and fares, inflation, and other catastrophes faced by CPAG students won’t be a hurdle for them to graduate and be public servant that holds honor and dignity.