Public transportation is actually very efficient and convenient in the Philippines thanks to the private entrepreneurs that make it work.
Tricycles
Cabanatuan is the trike capital of the world. Tricycles are usually 100 CC honda motorcycles with a side car bolted on. Most have little cabs for small people to squeeze in. They carry plenty of rope and tie everything on the back rack and top. When the cab runs out of room, one or two riders sit side saddle on the motorcycle and two can stand on the bumpers in back. Top speed is about 30 KPH so if you fell off, it's little more than walking speed. Yes, on rural roads you pass them every chance you get--left or right, whatever works.
Jeepnees
Jeepnees are small buses than run regular routes to suburbs and clearly marked. You jump on whenever on comes by and get off whenever you want. Jeepnees travel the main roads about 500 feet apart so your wait is pretty short. In town, most are privately owned and the owners get very creative with their designs and trim. Jeepnees were invented after WWII built upon the famous WWII jeep chassis. Many of them today look that old too. However, you don't mess with Jeepnees on the road. Jeepnee drivers are not polite :)
Buses
Larger buses make the longer runs to distance cities. They come in 2 styles. Air Conditioned and non air conditioned. Non AC costs less. These buses typically leave from multiple terminals around the city.
Tractors
The rice farmers have a universal tractor that they use for everything. They may be out in the rice paddies plowing the muddy fields. An hour later they are pulling a cart on the highway transporting people and goods at 3 kph. Licensing doesn't seem to be an issue on rural vehicles.
The Most Polite Drivers Anywhere.
In Cabanatuan there are only 2 intersections with stoplights even though the main road is the trans philippine highway. 1 of the 2 only works at night. There are no rules, stop signs or lanes. Everyone just goes. If you need to change lanes, just signal and the vehicle next to you (unless it's a jeepnee) usually holds back making a small opening. If you don't move into it, it will close in 2 seconds. Same for left turns. Just signal, stop and within 30 seconds you can cut across 2-3 lanes of vehicles. At first, it was formable driving. But now, it's pretty efficient.
Here's a video highlight of Sister Dansie's excellent driving from Walter Mart shopping center to our house about 3 Salt Lake blocks away.
Road Sizes
Most of the side roads were originally built for walking. Trikes are OK but cars? And many are dead end with no way to turn around. We've found more than one dead end already. This road leads to one of the Missionary apartments. They couldn't understand why we parked and walked instead of driving our Corolla to their house.