NEDA BICOL ON LINE - REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENDA - TECHNICAL NOTE (Improving Infrastructure Facilities)

Current Situation

   The region’s transportation system is primarily road based. The Maharlika Highway is the trunk line road that connects mainland Bicol to the rest of the country. This is the major link of the mainland provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon to Metro Manila, the Visayas provinces and the rest of the country. It is also the main access road to the various tourism areas in the region. Reliance on road transportation is the main reason for the high cost of goods and services in Bicol and is the one of the main reasons why investors avoid the region.

   Overloaded cargo vehicles cause the fast deterioration of the two highways (Maharlika and Quirino). Despite the presence of a weigh bridge at Polangui, Albay, overloaded trucks are still allowed to traverse the highways after apprehension. Frequent rehabilitation further lengthens travel time to and from Manila hence defeating its purpose.

   The east-west lateral network is being served by national secondary and provincial roads that lead to various national and municipal ports for inter-modal transport services to the island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate and other parts of the Visayas region. Most of these road sections need to be paved and linked to various tourism, trade and production areas.

   The region’s total road density is 0.61 km/square kilometer. Farm-to-market roads (FMRs) comprise more than 50 percent of the total road network. Heavy rains make unpaved FMRs unpassable, thus limiting the transport of goods to markets.

   Rail used to be the main transportation service catering to the business sector and majority of the population connecting Bicol to Metro Manila. The rail transport system was troubled by poor train services and facilities, old rolling stocks, and long travel time. The railway system has been non-functional after super typhoons Milenyo and Reming.

   Water transportation serves the islands of Masbate and Catanduanes. Bicol has nine national ports which are operated and maintained by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). In addition, the region has 36 municipal ports, six barangay ports, seven fish ports and 13 private ports. Water transportation also connects the coastal barangays.

   Matnog Port has the biggest volume of passengers servicing the Maharlika Highway as a RORO port for the inter-regional travel to Visayas and Mindanao. However, its terminal facilities lack amenities for decent lodging, dining, and shopping.

   There are seven airports in the region: one cluster main airport (Legazpi Airport) five principal airports (Naga, Virac, Masbate, Daet, and Sorsogon) and one community airport in Bulan, Sorsogon. Air transport in the region is not reliable. Airports are not equipped with the necessary navigation systems which will enable night landing and aircraft landing during adverse weather conditions. Only Legazpi and Naga airports can accommodate medium sized aircrafts. The approach in Legazpi City airport is considered unsafe with the presence of Ligñon and Kimantong hills which are hazards to aircraft operations. Likewise, Mayon Volcano eruptions sometimes interrupt airport activities in Legazpi Airport.

   With the liberalization of the telecommunication industry, the region’s telephone density improved. There is a wide cellular phone coverage. Growth centers, tourism and production areas are now accessible through mobile phone as a means of transacting business. However, there are still dead spots.

   Internet access among national government agencies, state universities and colleges, and local government units is not as extensive as desired. Some NGAs, SUCs and the provinces and cities have their own websites. However, among municipalities only 7.89 percent have websites. DILG established the Regional Local Governance Resource Center (RLGRC), an e-library and knowledge center, where LGUs and other stakeholders can directly access updated information through the use of ICT facilities. DOST installed the Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (VOIP) to facilitate coordination of the Philippine Research, Education and Government Information Network (PREGINET) for research and education purposes. The DOST facility was destroyed by typhoon Reming in 2006.

Desired Situation

   The development of Bicol shall be anchored on a spatial framework that guides the distribution and location of population, identifies areas for production activities, reserves areas to life support, and determines the needed infrastructure facilities.

   The primary growth centers are urban areas surrounding Daet, Naga, Legazpi, and Sorsogon. Secondary growth centers are the urban areas surrounding Masbate and Virac. Tertiary growth centers are the areas surrounding the cities of Iriga, Ligao, Tabaco, and other large municipalities. These growth centers shall be connected by road, rail, and sea transport.

   A shift from automobile to bus and rail shall be promoted. The bus rapid transit system will be the primary means of transport in Bicol. The system will be linked to the international airport and to the various RORO ports in the region. Bicol will be accessible through the trunk line and diversion roads year-round. Additional diversion roads will be constructed and completed. High speed train service powered by local energy sources will lessen travel time between Matnog and Manila. Farm-to-market roads will be opened in all barangays. Modern port facilities for convenient sea travel will be put in place in all RORO ports.

   All households will be energized with the Bicolanos enjoying the benefits of being host to the various energy resources. They will be provided with safe and reliable service and charged with lower power rates. Bicol region will be energy self-sufficient with the presence of indigenous, and alternative energy sources and will be selling excess power to its neighboring regions.

   Information and communications technology shall ensure transparency and efficiency in government and private sector transactions. Delivery of government frontline services shall be improved by ICT. All local government units and households have access to internet services.

   The people are living in peaceful and orderly communities where efficient basic services and facilities are accessible and affordable. Access to livelihood opportunities is made possible to improve infrastructure facilities.

   Tourism related infrastructure facilities will be in place to serve tourist destinations in the region. The private sector will be encouraged to harmonize the design and implementation of tourist related facilities with these infrastructure facilities.

Strategic Interventions

The four modes of transport (road, rail, sea, and air) will be modernized, expanded, and integrated. Good roads, railway, and water transport systems will be made safe, comfortable, convenient, cheap, and efficient. A one-ticketing system will be adopted for the multi-modal transport system. Tickets will be valid on all public transport and can be purchased at terminals, ATMs, or through the internet or SMS.

The Maharlika and Quirino Highways will be converted to toll roads. This will increase overall transportation efficiency. To lessen traffic congestion, diversion roads will be constructed. Main roads will not pass through urban centers. All-weather farm to market roads will be constructed to provide access to markets and basic services. A bus rapid transit system (similar to the Curitiba Bus System) shall be adopted in Bicol. The number of bus companies will be limited to allow a balanced distribution of bus routes and eliminate clogging of main roads.

High speed trains (electric-powered train service using standard gauge tracks) will serve the Bicol mainland. The train service will shorten travel time to and from Manila by half. Tunnels will be constructed to minimize curvatures along railways. Track beds will be improved. The use of efficient cargo system such as the containerized cargo trains shall be adopted to facilitate transport of goods.

The facilities in RORO port passenger terminal buildings will be improved for easy and comfortable travels. Food courts, adequate restrooms for women, children, and disabled will be provided. There will be amenities such as lounge areas, amusement areas, recreation centers, parlors, and spa. Cargoes will be provided with the necessary facilities, e.g. warehouses and cold storages for perishable goods. Adequate and secure parking areas will also be provided which would allow more access to public transport. Facilities in these port terminal buildings will give commuters a pleasant place to stay especially when they are stranded. The MARINA shall ensure that easy access to life jackets and all pump boat passengers are required to use life jackets and the strict observance of capacity limits. The opening of the San Vicente to Codon ferry service route is recommended. This involves the construction of a RORO port and facilities at San Vicente, Caramoan and Codon, San Andres. With these ports in place, ferry crossing time will be reduced to 20 minutes. The ongoing Caramoan-Presentacion coastal road project will be completed to serve this ferry service route.

The Bicol International Airport will be completed. The airport will be of international standard catering to international and domestic flights. This will be the main airport serving the Bicol area. This airport shall have sufficient parking spaces which will be made more accessible and will allow public transport. Airport facilities such as more comfort rooms with sufficient water, food courts, lounge areas, health and recreation centers shall be in place. Airport terminal fees will be increased.

The energy sector shall be more efficient through full privatization of power generation, transmission and distribution. Campaigns shall be held to boost private sector investments in geothermal projects. The region will be energy self sufficient with the capacity additions to the existing geothermal generating plants. New geothermal plants will be constructed and commissioned. These will provide additional and cheap electricity for the small and medium enterprises. Wind farms will be constructed in suitable areas of the region where wind streams can be harnessed for power production. These power sources will stabilize and assure the supply of electricity for Bicol. With its various energy sources, the Bicol government will be the owner of the power generating system and the energy seller. Excess power will be sold to neighboring regions.

To enhance the land transport sector, ways to improve the efficiency of front line service shall be explored. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) through the Land Transportation Office (LTO) shall allow three years registration to older vehicles. It shall likewise provide subsidy for those who will buy new cars. Pollution from car exhaust will be minimized. Vehicle licensing, registration and the review of licenses and registrations will be done through the internet. The LTO shall lead a “respect pedestrians” campaign. Drug testing shall be abolished. Instead, random drug testing among registrants shall be done. Vehicle plates should be able to identify the owner thus will lead to faster and better tracking of traffic violators. Very limited public parking will be made available in the urban areas. Restricted byways will be constructed in urban centers to be used by those who opt to go to work by bike or on foot.

To enhance the telecommunications sector, tax will be imposed on short message service (SMS). Cellular phone loads will not expire. To maximize coverage, cell sites will be integrated (i.e. one cell site for all carriers). Extensive broadband networks will be put up. Each local government unit at the municipality level shall use internet services. The internet will be used to provide government services. The government shall further encourage private sector participation in the development and implementation of ICT projects pursued under the BOT Law.

More business opportunities using the post office shall be explored such as the revival of the postal bank services where all deposits will be fully guaranteed by the government (i.e. no deposit ceiling). Money transfers, internet service, fax service, and other customer friendly services shall be promoted.

Infrastructure projects will be implemented with community participation so that the people will have a sense of ownership of infrastructure projects in their locality. Clustering of LGUs shall be promoted to make them more capable of fund sourcing and implementation of big infrastructure projects. This strategy could ensure effective coordination among towns and cities, avoid duplication of programs and projects, and speed up delivery of public and private sector services.