Have you ever noticed while driving on Philippine roads that some seem better maintained or more heavily traveled than others?
The reason is that roads are part of an extensive transport network that systematically organizes roads depending on their significance to the country’s infrastructure and priorities.
So, when a road connecting two major cities is more efficient than others, expect the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) or local government units (LGUs) to elevate its classification and develop it faster than other thoroughfares.
It’s in your best interest to understand road classifications in the Philippines so you can smoothly navigate the country’s road system and plan trips accordingly.
5 Road Classifications in the Philippines Every Driver Should Be Aware Of
Roads in the Philippines fall into different categories based on their function, usage, and jurisdiction. Each classification determines how the government develops and maintains them.
1. National roads
National roads are major thoroughfares comprising the Philippine highway network, with DPWH responsible for maintaining it. The Maharlika Highway—or Pan-Philippine Highway—is an example. It’s designated N1 and links Laoag in northern Luzon to Zamboanga City in western Mindanao—spanning over 3,500 kilometers!
The Philippine Highway Act of 1953 (Republic Act No. 917) classifies the national road system into three, namely:
Primary
Primary roads are significant sections without breaks or forks, connecting major cities with more than 100,000 residents. These facilitate long-distance travel and are often the most heavily traveled routes, so they’re a priority for upkeep.
Besides Maharlika Highway, MacArthur Highway (N2) is another notable national road. It connects Laoag to Guiguinto, Bulacan, through nearly 400 km of pavement.
Secondary
What if a city doesn’t directly connect to a primary national road? In that case, a secondary national road is necessary. Likewise, secondary national roads connect these locations to primary ones:
• Major ports and ferry terminals
• Major airports
• Tourist service centers
• Non-major cities with less than 100,000 population
• Major national government infrastructure
These routes also connect provincial capitals within the same region. Usually less congested, secondary roads are vital in the larger road network. Secondary national roads include the Pulilan Regional Road (N115), which connects the Calumpit and Pulilan municipalities within Bulacan.
Tertiary
The tertiary classification includes other national roads under DPWH that perform a local function but don’t count as primary or secondary thoroughfares. They provide access to smaller towns, tourist spots, or minor ports and terminals. While they’re often less of a priority than the other two classifications, they’re still essential for transportation to and from less accessible areas.
2. Provincial roads
Provincial roads are the rural government’s responsibility. These roads link cities and municipalities within a province, so trucks may drive between them without traversing national roads. They also connect national roads to distant barangays through small-town areas and major provincial government infrastructure.
As such, provincial roads are essential for local economies. Provincial routes go through farmlands, mountain passes, and remote communities. Sometimes, they’re the only path workers and residents in these areas can access. Maintenance and improvements heavily depend on the provincial budget, which explains why road conditions vary from one province to another.
3. City roads
City roads are crucial for urban mobility. They comprise main streets, avenues, and local roads within city boundaries that connect neighborhoods, commercial districts, and business hubs. They’re essential to everyday car travel and public transportation. The city government maintains these roads, including underground drainage systems, sidewalks, and streetlights.
Traffic management and road quality on city roads can significantly impact residents. Suppose Buendia Avenue in Makati City temporarily closes. When this happens, drivers must take narrower inside streets, lengthening their driving time and worsening traffic congestion. Due to their importance to mobility, city roads—particularly the major ones—are usually the LGU’s priority.
4. Municipal roads
Likewise, municipal roads fall under the jurisdiction of municipal government units. They connect barangays, towns, and smaller communities within a municipality and connect them to provincial or national roads.
Hence, they’re essential to local travel and access to hospitals, fire stations, and other services. They’re also the primary travel paths for transporting goods and residents to and from the municipality.
The upkeep of these roads typically comes from the municipal government’s budget. Maintenance depends on its financial capacity, so LGUs with less funding have little to spend on road upkeep or improvements.
5. Barangay roads
Barangay roads are other public roads managed by LGUs that don’t fall under the definitions above. They’re the smallest and most localized classification, providing direct access to homes, small businesses, and local communities in areas other roads can’t reach. In this regard, they’re vital for everyday life in Filipino neighborhoods.
Pedestrians, motorcycles, tricycles, and small vehicles usually traverse these roads. So, they’re less utilized than other types. Such under-usage means barangay roads are generally at the bottom of upkeep priorities, with quality and frequency depending on their respective barangay standards.
Know Your Way Around the Philippines
Road classifications in the Philippines reflect the thought and planning that go into building a network of winding roads to support various economies and lifestyles. Each route connects people, goods, and services across the nation.
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