A Register of Roads

It’s been pointed out that while the Philippines has about the same percentage of territory covered by roads as other Asian countries, the quality of our roads suffers in comparison.  This is because, among other things, we don't spend as much to keep our roads in top shape.

Roads affect our economy and our society. Goods and people travel safely and cost-effectively over good roads. Transportation becomes more expensive over bad roads.  If it takes too long to get fresh produce from farm to markets because of the road condition its value diminishes.  Students get to school on time over good roads. 

So we are challenged to improve the way we invest in our roads. “Improve” can mean eliminating duplication of funding, as when the same road segments gets an allocation from the National Government and the Local Government. "Improve" can also mean investing in the road segments that contribute most to socio-economic growth - roads that lead from production areas to processing areas to markets and transhipment points.  "Improve" can also mean simply increasing the amount of money spent on roads.

Any or all of these strategies for improving road investments can be explored and pursued. And all of them require the most basic data: a list (preferably with a map) of all significant public roads within an area of responsibility.

By “significant” I mean roads that are traversed regularly by two-wheeled and four-wheeled motorized vehicles. Since public funds can be spent only for public purpose, we should exclude private roads – such as subdivision roads.

Compiling a list of all public roads within a Municipality or a Province can be tedious. Different national and local government agencies are responsible for different kinds of roads. DPWH maintains National roads; Provincial Governments administer provincial roads; Municipalities and Cities look after Municipal and City roads. Even Barangays are supposed to look after Barangay roads. The Department of Agriculture builds and improves Farm-to-Market Roads. All of these agencies keep their own road records. I know from experience that it’s difficult – if not impossible – to find any one agency that has a complete record of all roads.

In a situation like this the effectiveness of road investments by any agency can be limited. Good farm-to-market roads may connect to badly-maintained Municipal or City roads. A town can have good roads while the Provincial or National highway running through it might be in bad condition because provincial and national funds are spent elsewhere.

It would be better if all funding agencies could look at a complete map of all roads within a locality. They can then agree on a particular set of roads to be improved. This way they could create a continuous corridor of good roads through which goods and people can travel efficiently.

But where can one find the complete list of roads in a locality, regardless of which agency is responsible for each road? Right now the best bet is the Provincial Planning Office. But since many Provincial Planners keep tabs only on Provincial roads, another body or instrument might be needed.

Births, marriages and deaths are officially recorded in a Civil Registry. Land deeds and titles are registered by the Registrar of Deeds and the Land Registration Authority.  Motor vehicles are also registered. So why not a Register of Roads?

This is by no means a novel idea. Many Western nations have been maintaining registers of roads, and there are several legislation related to this. One fine example is the 2004 Road Management Act of Victoria. It provides policies for maintenance of a Roads Register. It mentions a “responsible road authority” which repairs and maintains certain roads, and a “coordinating road authority” which, well, coordinates road improvements.

Perhaps the Philippines can borrow and build on this concept. DPWH, the Province, Municipalities, Cities and Barangays can be considered “responsible road authorities” as they take charge of roads under their respective administrative jurisdictions. I propose that the Province be designated as the “coordinating road authority”. All responsible road authorities can serve as “Data Stewards” serving updated information their roads to the Provincial Government. The Provincial Government compiles all this data in a Roads Register and acts as the “Data Custodian”. 

In addition, the Provincial Government can serve as a clearing house of sorts for road investments. It can gather road projects data from all other responsible road authorities and compile these into one map. So if anybody needs to know which roads projects are funded, they can look at the Provincial Government’s compilation.

When funding information is coupled with other road information – such as surface type, road condition, presence of side and cross drainage – and socio-economic information – e.g., location of production and processing facilities – the Roads Register can be a very potent tool for development planning.

But even than won’t be enough to increase the percentage of Philippine roads in good condition. It seems only increased funding for roads can achieve that. Still, the Roads Register can help us apply our meagre road funds to best use.