Renel E.

Garcia

Narrative Report

12-93913
Last May 21, 2016, Saturday, we had an educational trip bound to the Kaybiang
Tunnel in Nasugbu, Batangas. The Kaybiang Tunnel is located in Nasugbu, Batangas. It
connects Ternate, Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas together though Mt. Palay-Palay. The
construction of the tunnel started sometime in March 2009. It has a length of three
hundred meters making it the longest underground tunnel in the Philippines.
As our journey started, weve already encountered series of traffic congestion in
some parts of Sta. Rita, San Pascual and Bauan, Batangas. Given that it is already
normal to experience it in those places, I still dont think that either the government or
the people should just sit and just let the road users get used to it for the whole time.
Based on what I have observed, there are many reasons on why traffic jam is very
constant there, because, by the time that we have passed there, it is not even the peak
hour giving no any reason for it to have a poor flow of traffic. From this, I have thought
that there is nothing wrong on the road handling the volume of vehicles passing but the
problem is within the discipline of the road users especially for the public utility vehicle
drivers. Ive noticed that some of the drivers, public or private, lack proper knowledge,
decorum and courtesy in using the road. They sometimes fail to do defensive driving not
just for their safety but also for the efficient flow of traffic.
It took us about three and a half hours of travel before reaching our destination.
We had a great time while in the van. Exchanging of snacks, so many snacks, mingling
and laughing with each other, and the beautiful sceneries of many different towns of the
province have helped us to ignore the boredom brought by the long hours of travel. As
we arrived to the tunnel, it has amazed me given that it is my first time to see it in
person and by the thought that it is one of the structures that I dreamed of building
someday. Because of this structure, I have realized how our future profession can help
and affect the transportation system. It is because the Kaybiang Tunnel was built to help
motorists from Manila and other places of the country to have other access roads if they
want to go to Nasugbu and nearby provinces without getting in to traffic congestion in
Tagaytay, Cavite. It also gave ease and lessens the number of vehicles passing
Tagaytay on their way to Nasugbu. But as of what I saw, the tunnel did not only served
as an alternative route but it also made itself as a tourist attraction as many people go
there to see it and to experience passing under it.
From what I have observed on the tunnel, it has achieved to served its main
purpose and that is to give an alternative for the road users. But, structurally speaking,
the tunnel still lacks of some elements, and one is proper lighting inside the tunnel. It is
very dark inside the tunnel that when it is bright outside, the glare of the light outside
brings silhouette inside which gives the drivers passing inside a hard time to see if there
are any obstruction, incoming vehicles or pedestrians crossing and such. Though
turning of headlights on is necessary, it seems that it only brings the conflict worse,
adding the brightness of the sunlight outside, the incoming vehicles ahead will have a
hard time seeing what is waiting ahead of them. Proper lighting is also essential not only
for the vehicles but also for the pedestrians that will walk pass by there, if there is any.
One thing that I have also noticed is the sidewalks. Although it seemingly to have any
pedestrians to walk pass by there, we cannot deny that anytime people may walk pass
thru it. And for their safety, I have noticed that there are no railings barricading the

sidewalk and the pavement given that the sidewalk is narrow for any pedestrian
measuring it for about only a half of a meter which may tend any pedestrian to go down
and walk by the road and not the side walk. Another thing is that the tunnel lacks of
traffic reflectorized signs, pavement markings and such. These things may help to
lessen the hard time of passing the tunnel due to lack of proper lighting inside the
tunnel. One thing that also caught my attention is the fire hydrant located at both ends
of the tunnel. It seems that the fire hose for the fire hydrant is missing making the fire
hydrant useless in times of fire emergency and any other cases that will need it. That is
all and anything else with the tunnel for me is exceptional. It is really amazing and time
worthy seeing those kinds of structures.
We stayed and observed the tunnel for about forty-five minutes and immediately
left to avoid obstructing the vehicles passing. We left the tunnel around past twelve in
the afternoon and have ourselves bound to Tagaytay to have our lunch there. We
passed by nearby towns of Cavite like Trece Martires, Dasmarinas and etc. As we arrive
in Tagaytay area exiting Olivarez, there is a round-about in the intersection of the road.
There, I saw a traffic sign that I have noticed to be in very small caption and is not in a
very noticeable place for the drivers and maybe if I am the one whose driving, I will not
notice it and may cause me confusion to the places that I want to go to if I am not
familiar with the area.
We left Tagaytay with smiling faces as we enjoyed the amenities and the
beautiful scenery there. On our way home, we have encountered a very heavy flow of
traffic near San Antonio, San Pascual. I think the peak hour plus the volume of vehicles
plus the huge numerous trucks have caused the traffic congestion. That constant, slow
moving traffic have reached until the crossing of Chevron-Epol Road and BauanBatangas Road. What I have noticed is that the traffic that crosses it is not systematic.
Vehicles will cross the intersection anytime that they saw an opening space for them to
proceed. What I could recommend there is to have a traffic signal placed in the
intersection and make the intersection bigger by placing a stopping line far enough to
make the intersection open.