Abstract:
Transportation in the Philippines has been developing, particularly in the cities in which
new forms and modes of transportation are evident today. At the same time, several emerging
transport problems contribute to the plight of Filipino commuters and pedestrians. This study
aims to provide a critical analysis of the walkability of Caloocan City through a socio-ecological
and conflict perspective and determine the impact of socioeconomic, demographic, and other
factors on the experiences, perceptions, and behavior of Filipino commuters and pedestrians in
the cities. Through body mapping techniques, interviews, and community observations, the
researcher capitalized on the walking and commuting experiences that determine the condition of
public transportation in the city today. Analysis of the responses demonstrated that most of the
bodily experiences of commuters and pedestrians are associated with negative experiences (e.g.
Pain, Tiredness, and Fear), which affects the perception and behavior of commuters and
pedestrians towards transport in the country. In addition, the results show a dominant preference
for private modes of transportation. The results indicate the failure of public transport to provide
good services to public commuters and pedestrians. Although the government provides efforts to
improve transport conditions in the country, there are still many factors (internal factors) that
remain unconsidered in the planning and implementation of its programs and projects related to
public transport, walkability, and community safety. This failure leads to the realization of the
unrealized risk of inconvenience, the prevalence of conflict of space, and the normalization of
the plight, wherein the less privileged endure while the more privileged commuters use their
resources as a flighting tool away from the plight of transportation.
