A daily motorcycle vlogger’s ride reveals why road conditions in the Philippines remain alarmingly poor. Every commute I take is a personal story of narrow escapes: one rainy morning, I nearly flipped when my front tire hit a hidden crater. These experiences are all too common. For years, I’ve seen fellow riders dread sun and rain, praying to return home alive.
In fact, on one recent wet afternoon, a public news report explained how heavy rain caused potholes on major roads like EDSA and Commonwealth Avenue. The lack of proper flood control and maintenance shows in our streets. Seasoned riders like me know that every monsoon can suddenly expose a new sinkhole. Yet we also know this isn’t purely Mother Nature’s fault.
Data and industry experts agree: chronic underfunding, planning failures, and even politics contribute to the mess. I write here not as a distant observer but as someone who feels each crack and puddle under my wheels. I hope that sharing my story, backed by facts and personal anecdotes, will make our leaders finally fix these broken roads.
Road Conditions in the Philippines: A Daily Struggle
Each morning, I start my bike, bracing myself for what lies ahead. My first ride of the day already feels like an obstacle course. Potholes lurk under thin layers of asphalt; manhole covers sit unevenly or are missing. I catch myself swerving and muttering, “Not again!” every few blocks.
This isn’t hyperbole: even official reports admit these hazards. Local media noted that monsoon storms caused potholes on major roads across the city.
Every rider knows the sight of a new crater can spike your heart rate. One news article bluntly warned that the presence of potholes “poses a danger to motorists and commuters.” I agree. On countless rides, I’ve seen riders lose control or vehicles swerve unexpectedly around holes, risking collisions.
We joke that in this country, “roads have their biography”: full of ups, downs, and plot twists. But the reality is frightening. Beyond jokes, the physical jolt of hitting a pothole reminds us that our city’s streets were built on quick fixes.
Road Conditions in the Philippines and Rider Safety
On paper, traffic enforcement schemes like MMDA’s new NCAP portal (the “May Huli Ka” system) aim to deter reckless driving. But even MMDA concedes enforcement must match infrastructure. A RobiMoto analysis notes that NCAP will only be applied on roads that have proper signage and markings and where road conditions are up to standard.
In other words, even the bureaucrats acknowledge. It’s unfair to punish a rider for a “violation” caused by a missing sign or a crumbling road.
At speed, safety margins vanish: when wet asphalt meets an uneven patch, traction disappears. A comprehensive rainy-season guide warns bluntly: “Wet roads mean less traction… Bald tires? Toss ’em. Underinflated? You’re hydroplaning.”
I live by this advice every stormy ride. Once, my front tire slipped in a shallow puddle covering a pothole. Heart pounding, I just managed to balance. It reminded me that our safety is as good as our tires and caution. Our substandard roads turn even routine rides into survival drills.
Road Conditions in the Philippines After Rain and Floods
Rainfall and flooding always make things worse. Each storm season, I treat my bike like a battlefield scout, scanning for flooded patches and new cavities. The Philippines sees about 20 typhoons a year, and official reports say current drainage is woefully inadequate.
Metro Manila’s antiquated drainage is reportedly 70% clogged with garbage. I’ve seen it: water backs up on our streets until cars become boats.
That means our city streets turn into rivers. Every flooded road I cross further erodes the asphalt’s base; every huge storm reveals fresh fissures and holes.
Political Will and Planning Gaps
Behind the potholes and floods lies a harsh truth: politics and weak planning contribute to these problems. On paper, the DPWH is responsible for maintaining highways. Recently, they even partnered with the MMDA to fill potholes after heavy rains.
But as one DPWH chief admitted, many of those repairs were just for “immediate relief” – big projects keep getting delayed. In hearings, top officials quietly conceded they had only fixed a few pumping stations of the dozens planned.
I ride past these half-finished structures and wonder: Who approved this sketchy work? Stories of patronage politics emerge, noting that flood projects are often added to budgets at the last minute. That political dance means our roads suffer from constant stop-and-go funding.
Accountability and Community Action
It’s frustrating that agencies like DPWH are often scapegoated. To be fair, their crews do try to patch holes. But patchwork can’t replace real infrastructure. After last year’s floods, the DPWH patched EDSA and other major roads “to prevent road accidents caused by potholes.”
That’s a start, but what about prevention? Our flood control measures remain incomplete. The main floodway project for Central Luzon was supposed to start in 2024, but it’s years behind schedule.
The delays and insufficiency of structures mean our roads keep eroding. Civic groups often push DPWH and local governments to fix roads or install proper drainage.
Road Conditions in the Philippines: The Human Impact and Hope
This debate isn’t abstract for me – it’s deeply personal. I have seen good people injured.
Each story brings tears. Pathos drives us to demand change: we recall times when children head to school by motorcycle and return shaken. Even during evening prayers before a ride, I silently ask for grace on every kilometer. But faith alone won’t rebuild asphalt. We need action.
Analysts say we must invest continuously in both new projects and existing roads.
Ultimately, answering “why are roads substandard?” means confronting both natural and human failings. If we act together, maybe someday our road conditions in the Philippines will finally improve.
