Ray Macalalag
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Traffic in the Cloud: The Induced Demand in AI
3–5 minutesIf we go back to ten or fifteen years ago, was there something that you wish was more efficient? Probably it was about queueing in a passenger terminal three times: buying a ticket, checking in, and paying for the terminal fee. This still happens today in my occasional commutes between Iloilo and Bacolod, where passengers…
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Apple Pay, now in the Philippines: The Quiet Launch we’ve been waiting for
1–2 minutesApple Pay launched in the Philippines on August 3, enabling users to link local cards for contactless payments via iPhone or Apple Watch. The service offers reduced compliance barriers for banks, enhancing accessibility. Currently, its bank support is limited compared to Google Pay, with usability at select retailers like 7-Eleven and Starbucks.
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Transport: The tangible face of an upper-middle-income country
3–4 minutesThe Philippines’ status as an upper-middle-income country underscores its potential yet highlights significant transportation challenges. With ongoing congestion and delayed projects, there is a pressing need for an efficient transport strategy. Prioritizing timely execution and inclusivity in transport initiatives is essential for sustaining economic growth and improving citizens’ lives.
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Let our colors shine
2–3 minutesThere was once a young student who grew up being teased, never quite knowing how to tend to himself or how to feel better. He hid his feelings of profound sadness from jokes that cut deep, painfully aware that reacting would only make the situation feel much worse. Consumed by a fear that he might…
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What transport inflation tells about the fuel subsidies
3–4 minutesWestern Visayas is gripped by a financial chokehold, with inflation soaring from 3.5 percent to 6.6 percent in just a month. Transport costs have exploded, choking supply chains and suffocating purchasing power. To survive, local governments must act decisively, and citizens must abandon car-centric habits before it’s too late.
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The Journey Pushing for Road Safety
3–5 minutesThe Western Visayas Road Safety Action Plan (WVRSAP) 2026-2028, launched on May 29, 2026, represents a significant achievement in road safety governance. Developed through collaboration among various stakeholders, it aims to save lives by implementing key safety strategies and ensuring effective interagency cooperation in the region.
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Are our terminals keeping up with our pace of development?
3–4 minutesA city’s heartbeat is its commute, where the true essence of livability emerges. To transform public transportation from a begrudged necessity into a dignified choice, we must reimagine terminals as inclusive, vibrant hubs. Investing in humane infrastructure will create equitable mobility, elevate the commuter experience, and foster flourishing regional economies.
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We Need Bold Reforms in Public Transport
3–4 minutesThe public transport crisis is a ticking time bomb. With global fuel prices soaring, strikes proliferate as the system falters under outdated regulations. Urgent reforms—automatic fare adjustments, income restructuring, and decentralized planning are vital. Only then can we salvage our transportation network and avert catastrophic collapse.
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Game Theory and the Commuter’s Burden
3–5 minutesThe prisoner’s dilemma reflects the challenges faced by public transport workers in a volatile system. Drivers, operators, local governments, and regulators prioritize self-interest over collaboration, leading to instability. Genuine cooperation is essential for a fairer, more sustainable transportation environment, easing the burden on both drivers and commuters.
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The Hidden Math behind ‘ayuda’
3–5 minutesIn Iloilo City, public transport is vital. When oil prices soar, government cash aid targets drivers, igniting controversy among wealthier taxpayers. But this strategic financial support stabilizes the economy, preventing inflation and ensuring essential services survive, underscoring the need for targeted interventions over universal benefits.
Ilonggo Engineer 