Commuting in the Philippines is a widespread concern that affects individuals on a daily basis. The arduous task of navigating through congested roads, overcrowded public transportation, and unpredictable traffic conditions has become a major challenge for Filipinos. Recognizing the significance of this issue, Capstone-Intel Corporation conducted an in-depth analysis to understand the sentiments of the Filipino population towards commuting.
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Background
Commuting is a daily challenge faced by many Filipinos, particularly those who are part of the workforce.
The Philippines, with its growing population and infrastructure constraints, has seen an increase in the number of individuals relying on public transportation to get to work. This situation has led to overcrowded buses and trains, long waiting times, and unpredictable travel durations. As a result, commuting has become a source of stress and frustration for many workers, impacting their overall well-being and productivity.
Also, another obstacle faced by Filipino commuters is the issue of heavy traffic. The major cities in the country, such as Manila, are notorious for their congested roads and long travel times. Commuters often find themselves spending hours stuck in traffic, which not only wastes valuable time but also adds to the frustration and stress of their daily routine.
Furthermore, the lack of efficient transportation systems in some areas of the country exacerbates the commuting difficulties. Rural areas, in particular, often have limited access to public transportation options, forcing workers to resort to alternative means of commuting, such as tricycles or motorcycles. These modes of transportation are not only less comfortable, but also pose safety risks. The lack of proper infrastructure, such as well-maintained roads and proper signaling systems, further compounds the challenges faced by commuters. Consequently, individuals are forced to endure longer travel times and harsher conditions, making their daily commute an arduous and exhausting experience.
Methodology
The study was carried out between November 28, 2022 and November 28, 2023, with the objective of gauging public sentiment online regarding commuting. Capstone-Intel employed its social listening tools to analyze publicly accessible Facebook pages for posts related to the keyword “commute.” It is important to note that no specific demographic information or personal data were collected or monitored during this study.
Reaction distribution
On the Facebook platform, an analysis of the data reveals that out of a total of 1,089,359 reactions, 489,583 (44.90%) were categorized as Like, 275,260 (25.30%) as Haha, 264,462 (24.30%) as Love, 37,049 (3.40%) as Wow, 20,856 (1.90%) as Sad, and 2,149 (0.20%) as Angry reactions.
Top posts
The keyword “commute” received significant engagement scores across multiple Facebook pages of news agencies and influencers. The Philippine Star led with an engagement score of 30,388.7, followed by Hi Baby with 28,523.5, and Just Luis with 8,750.6.
The post from the Philippine Star’s Facebook page received a total of 66,951 (63%) Haha reactions, 23,356 (21.80%) Wow reactions, 14,409 (13.50%) Like reactions, 2,077 (1.90%) Love reactions, 108 (0.10%) Sad reactions, and 6 (0.00%) Angry reactions.
The subsequent post by Hi Baby generated 6,659 (66.20%) Love reactions, 3,352 (33.30%) Like reactions, 25 (0%) Haha reactions, 11 (0.10%) Sad reactions, 10 (0.10%) Wow reactions, and 1 (0.00%) Angry reaction.
Lastly, Just Luis’ post received 32,288 (98.60%) Haha reactions, 396 (%) Like reactions, 49 (0.10%) Love reactions, 22 (0.10%) Wow reactions, 11 (0.00%) Sad reactions, and 1 (0.00%) Angry reaction.
The dominance of Haha reactions can be observed in the top posts.
In the previous social intelligence report it provides an analysis of the possible implications of the Facebook Haha reaction.
The “Haha” reaction provides users with a convenient and efficient means of expressing amusement without the need for commenting or typing out a response. This was particularly evident in the reactions to the Philippine Star’s post, which highlighted a graduate student who opted to save money by commuting via plane instead of renting accommodation due to the distance of the educational program’s location.
It is worth noting, however, that the “Haha” reaction can also be utilized to convey sarcasm or insult while still appearing to agree with the content. This was evident in the response to Just Luis’s post, which featured a drawing of an individual expressing hunger due to the long commute to the office but choosing to resist the temptation to eat the packed food.
