Assessing Local Road Management Capacity and Implementation in Philippine Local Government Units: Evidence from District I, Southern Leyte
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsis.V1.I3.191Keywords:
Engineering-Office Capacity, Engineering Specialization, Local Government Units, Local Road Management, Local Road Management Performance Assessment Tool, Monitoring and Evaluation, Sustainable InfrastructureAbstract
This study examined the organizational composition, engineering-office capacity, implementation maturity, and associated factors influencing Local Road Management (LRM) practices among seven Local Government Units (LGUs) in District I, Southern Leyte, Philippines. Anchored in the Input–Process–Output framework and the Local Road Management Performance Assessment Manual, the study employed a quantitative descriptive–correlational research design involving 74 permanent engineering-office personnel selected through total enumeration. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire with an established reliability coefficient of 0.914 and analyzed through descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Phi coefficients, and Cramer's V. Results revealed that none of the participating LGUs had formally established LRM teams, while engineering personnel, technical competencies, and operational resources were unevenly distributed. Only 23 respondents were licensed civil engineers, and 10 had undergone Local Road Management Performance Assessment Tool (LRMPAT) training. Among the four management stages, project implementation exhibited the highest maturity, whereas monitoring and evaluation demonstrated substantial deficiencies in performance tracking, systematic assessment, and evidence-based decision-making. Significant associations were identified between LRM process indicators and engineering specialization, LRMPAT-related training, and active assessment-tool application, while professional licensure alone showed limited associations. The findings underscored the need to institutionalize dedicated LRM teams, strengthen specialized technical training, and establish systematic monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The study supported Sustainable Development Goals 9, 11, and 16 through its emphasis on infrastructure management, sustainable communities, and effective local governance. Its sustainability implications centered on strengthening institutional accountability, technical capacity, and evidence-based road management to support long-term infrastructure functionality and local development.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Edu S. Espina, M.Eng., Renato L. Maglasang, Jr., MSCE, Gabino C. Hilvano, PhD, Edizon R. Domingo, MSCE (Author)
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