The Philippines ranks well on the public investment management scale compared to regional peers, but there is a large efficiency gap. Improving project appraisals and identifying risk reduction measures early on is key. Better public involvement will also help close the efficiency gap. In addition to public involvement, a broader participation from the private sector can support the push to improve infrastructure. Further, a more sophisticated financial risk management system can help increase infrastructure Philippines funding.
Public transportation
The country's urbanization is a direct result of the global trend towards urbanization, and the Philippines is no exception. The population has shifted from rural to urban areas, and the traffic in Metro Manila is already clogged with cars and buses. By 2030, the country is expected to have 77% of its population living in urban areas, making road transportation increasingly inefficient and limiting mobility. Furthermore, the country's rapid urbanization is estimated to cost the economy a whopping 4.6% of GDP.
Companies in the Philippines have a number of transportation risks. Lack of transport can reduce their productivity, decrease profitability, and cause increased pollution. This is why urban transport reform advocates have begun presenting coherent blueprints for Metro Manila's transportation system that prioritize public health and mobility. The #MoveAsOne coalition is presenting these blueprints to key DOTr officials, legislators in both houses of Congress, and policymakers in the country.
Toll roads
Toll roads in the Philippines are regulated by the Toll Regulatory Board, a government agency. It is established by Presidential Decree No. 1112 and holds regulatory authority over all toll facilities in the country. It is authorized to enter into contracts on behalf of the government with qualified persons for the provision of toll facilities. Here are some of the benefits of toll roads in the Philippines. They make traveling on the road safer and more convenient for travelers.
South Luzon Expressway: This 51-kilometer toll road connects Manila with Santo Tomas, Batangas. It is composed of two segments: the Osmena Highway (which starts from Paco in Manila) and the South Superhighway, which runs from Santo Tomas to Alabang in Muntinlupa. Another toll road in the country is the Alabang-Calamba-Santo Tomas Expressway (also known as the South Luzon Tollway), which connects Alabang to Santo Tomas. The 16-kilometer elevated Metro Manila Skyway (MMS) is an additional toll road in the Metro Manila area, running above the SLEX.
Bicycle infrastructure
The lack of bike lanes and other bicycle infrastructure made walking and cycling on national highways a very unsafe endeavor. Fortunately, the Philippine government is working to change this, with the recently passed Department Order 88 by DPWH Secretary Mark Villar. This will require new road projects to include bicycle facilities. This is the first major step in the Philippines' transformation towards a more cycle-friendly nation. This new initiative will help citizens stay healthy by promoting physical activity and keeping their social distance.
The government recently announced an ambitious bicycle lane construction program. With the P800 million allocated for cycling infrastructure, more than 300 kilometers of bike lanes will be built in Manila, while the P150 million spent on a new bicycle lane in Cebu City will be extended to 140 kilometers. A recent survey by Social Weather Stations showed that 87% of Filipinos preferred cycling to public vehicles. The new infrastructure will feature the highest standards of safety.
Ports
As the country struggles with an underdeveloped transportation infrastructure, one area where it can make strides is the port sector. The Philippines is home to a number of ports, and their contributions to the nation's economic development and tourism have been widely recognized. Listed below are the top ten Philippine ports by sea and location. Each port's UN/Locode identifies it within the country. Statistics are based on 2012 to 2017 records.
Cebu, for example, is an island state with over 7000 islands, but only 11 of them hold more than 90% of land area. This makes port infrastructure an essential part of overall connectivity. As a result, there has been limited investment in port infrastructure in the country. Fortunately, roll-on/roll-off ferry services are an alternative to traditional long-distance shipping. Moreover, the Philippines is developing a comprehensive network of expressways, including the North Luzon Expressway (also known as the North Diversion Road) and the South Super Highway (also known as the South Super Highway).
Rail transportation
The history of rail transportation in the Philippines begins during the Spanish era. The railways were used to transport people and goods from one province to another, from Baguio in the north to Legazpi City in the Bicol Peninsula. The Manila to Dagupan rail line was completed in 1892 and opened on November 24. By November 1896, it was already running for about four years when the revolutionary forces overtook the rail lines and disrupted the rail traffic.
Today, the country has three rapid transit systems and one commuter rail line. The two rapid transit systems in Manila are the LRT-1 and LRT-2 systems. The Metro Rail Transit Corporation operates the MRT-3 line and has elevators and escalators for passengers' convenience. It has about 400,000 daily riders and operates along an orbital north-south route. The Philippines is one of the few countries in the world to have both a Metro Rail Transit System and LRT lines.