Not sure about Tanjay, but Santa Catalina to Bayawan is much less for me than the time you quoted, as is the time to Basay from Bayawan, maybe even less than half.
Maybe it has to do with the time that a person travels. When I used to travel to Bacolod (not since the quarantine now), 30 minutes or less to Tanjay and less than an hour to Bais. I left at 5:30AM though, and usually on a weekend.
Traffic is going to be an issue in most decent sized cities in the Philippines (and pretty much anywhere in Asia). Traffic management just isn't something most Asian countries devote much time and effort in to. There are exceptions, of course, but those places tend to be pretty expensive to live in as the are quite developed. If you are looking for cheaper places to live you are going to have to lower some expectations and living standards. IMHO traffic shouldn't be much of an issue for those of us that are retired. We can change our schedules to avoid the times the roads are packed. Personally, I rarely have an issue with traffic here.
I lived in Dumaguete 3 years and moved to Tagaytay. For me Tagaytay is much better, so much so that I have bought a house here. Like all places there are pros and cons. I actually live in Alfonso just down the road from Tagaytay near twin lakes. The weather here is much cooler at 2000 feet, only use the aircon a couple of months a year in the day time. Seems like days top out at about 26-28 c most of the year. Traffic is bad on the weekend with day trippers from Manila clogging the roads but even then it is less stressful than Duma. They come for the scenery and rows of restaurants, during the week traffic is much better. Not one tenth the tricycles or jeepnys here. There is just a lot more here, very upscale shopping in Nuvalli with an S&R 45 minutes away and Makati and BGC 2 1/2 hours away, longer at rush hour. Although there are plenty of expats here, nothing like the density in Duma, also lots of excellent restaurants although they are not as expat oriented. Surrounded by golf courses. Overall it is more expensive than Dumaguete for real estate, but also in the couple of years I have been here no scheduled brownouts, only out for a few hours with storms and was shut down during the Taal eruption as a precaution for ash for a few days. Stateside quality service with utilities and fast internet available. Prices are rising, the CALEX expressway will be completed soon which will cut the travel time to Manila considerably and another freeway has been proposed and expected to be approved this year to go from Silang in Cavite to Nasugbu in Batangas. This will cut the travel time to Manila to less than an hour, so demand should pick up. I enjoyed Dumaguete and understand how it suits many expats but if you are not satisfied there Tagaytay is worth a look.
Traffic here is a dream for the Philippines, after 4 years driving in Manila and coming here the roads are wide and speeds are moderate and safe (mostly). Compared to the drive from Liloan to Cebu City, narrow roads that progressively get to terrible traffic 1 hour south of Cebu City. Also compared to the pain of Manila and a 3 hour radius of Manila the driving here is luxurious. Seems like when you leave Manila by car it progressively gets better each island you get to Luzon, Mindorro, Panay then Negros. Awesome drive but you barely ever get over 80 km/h.
And what is everyone else complaining about traffic comparing it to? Rural US/Europe? Highly urbanized and modernized cities?
I think its natural to make comparisons, no matter where you come from. Its second nature and you would have to be blind Freddy to not notice the ill manners of the local drivers who cannot make an orderly queue, always having to make a third lane where none exists only exasperating the problem to oncoming traffic, no condescending "give way"to make a gap to allow traffic to flow at road junctions and so on, Trikes? What is there to say? Nothing compares to trikes. And the lack of rear lights working? Not comparing...... just commenting on what is clearly obvious to anyone who has driven in most first world countries. It just doesnt need "comparison" although how else could one compare? What is seen here is not excusable because its a third world country, it just shows how ill taught drivers are and the lack of enforcement on the roads.
Yet another willful and arrogant ignoring of the facts of the situation. A taxi here costs far less than in any first world country. A taxi (tricycle ) here only costs 10 pesos for the first 2 km and 2 pesos per km after that. To support these low costs the transportation system here is different than what you are used to. If you are driving around in your first world car expecting to go at first world speeds in a highly regulated traffic system, then you simply do not get it.
I don't see anything "incorrect" about Philpots post, nor are you "incorrect" but perhaps you didn't hear his acceptance of the way things are here, while longing for the people of the Philippines to be a little safer. Stating the truth can never be arrogant. The low cost of things is definitely a blessing. Would it really raise the price of things to have a light that works, perhaps even working and used turn signals, on the back of motorcycles and tricycles? I've honestly had my only "oh sh*t!" moments in the Philippines due to motorcycles appearing out of the dark like magic. I absolutely do not ever want to run into one. The helmet and sandals perhaps are a choice, as they really only mangle the driver and passengers, but the lights are absolutely necessary.
