EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Situational Analysis: The municipality of Iba, the Capital town in the Province of Zambales, was founded by Recollect Priest in 1611. It is the seat of the provincial government and provincial offices of national government agencies. The town of Iba is a second-class municipality, compromising of fourteen (14) barangays, six (6) barangays are located in the area delineated for urban land (población) while the rest are in the rural areas. It has a population of 55,581 people.

At present it is under the leadership of Honorable Irenea Maniquiz Binan, Municipal Mayor, supported by Honorable Vice-Mayor Joan Ballesteros, eight (8) Sangguniang Bayan members and fourteen (14) Barangay Chairman who are actively participating in the maintenance of peace and order in the Municipality of Iba, Zambales.

Aside from hosting offices of the provincial government and national agencies, the local economy was also sustained by farms producing rice, vegetables, livestock and high value crops, like mangoes, as well as tourism revenue from the beach resorts, hotels and restaurants that sprouted over the years along the town’s 7 kilometers of fine-sand beaches.

The Municipality of Iba is fast becoming the center of trade and commerce in this part of the province. Several types of establishments can be found in Iba most widely proliferated are wholesaling and retailing. Small and Medium Enterprises are also expanding like food processing, iron and other metal craft, beauty parlors, health clinics, rice mills, restaurants, welding shops, junkshops, piggery, poultry raising, fishpond operation, prawn culture, bakeshop, dress shop, machine shop, water purification stations, sash factory, pawnshop and real estate leasing.

A total of 133,963 kilometers of road are provided over the alienable and disposable land of Iba. The road networks are classified into National Road, Provincial Road, Municipal Road and Barangay Roads and have length of 15 km., 31.17 km., 11.853 km. and 75.94 km., respectively.

The local government requisite sustains its effort in maintaining peace and order in the Municipality. Local leaders are determined to accomplish their programs for the benefit of its constituents. Since most of the political members belong to the same party affiliation, they are easily creating ways and means for the creation and enactment of laws which are beneficial to the municipality. Maintaining ac lose coordination with the investors and clientele are the means of establishing good relationship to meet the new desired approach.

Statement of the Problem. Road obstructions in Iba Zambales, is characterized by frequent and prolonged congestion, which leads to increased travel times, higher fuel consumption, and elevated levels of pollution.

The team conducted a survey with number of 50 respondents to determine if road obstruction is a major problem and its causes and provide some recommendations to mitigate the problem. All respondents acknowledged the presence of road obstructions, highlighting the significance of this issue. Majority of the respondents acknowledge that the causes of road obstruction are illegal parking and illegal structures.

Results, Discussion and Analysis. The primary causes of road obstruction are the following:

1. Rapid Urbanization and Population Growth: The growing population and expanding urban areas have led to an increase in the number of vehicles on the croad, outpacing the capacity of existing infrastructure.

2. Inadequate Infrastructure: Many roads in Iba are narrow and poorly maintained, lacking sufficient capacity to handle the current volume of traffic.

3. Public Transport System Issues: the public transportation system is often inefficient and overcrowded, forcing many residents to rely on private vehicles.

4. Traffic Management and Enforcement: There are weaknesses in traffic management and enforcement, including inadequate traffic signals, poor signage, and insufficient presence of traffic enforcers.

5. Commercial Activities and Roadside Encroachments: Unregulated commercial activities and roadside encroachments reduce the effective width of roads, contributing to congestion.

Conclusions. By taking a holistic proactive approach to address traffic obstruction, Iba, Zambales, can achieve significant improvements in traffic conditions, fostering economic growth, and enhancing the well-being of its residents. Collaborative efforts between local authorities, residents, and stakeholders will be the key to the successful execution of these strategies, ensuring a more efficient and livable urban environment for all.

Recommendations. The research team come up with the following recommendations proposed to effectively address the obstruction problem in Iba, Zambales:

1. Strengthen Traffic Regulation Enforcement;
2. Improve Infrastructure;
3. Implement Technological Solutions;
4. Enhance Public Transportation;
5. Educate and Engage the Public;
6. Optimize Urban Planning and Zoning;
7. Encourage Alternative Transportation Modes;
8. Coordinate with Businesses and Institutions;
9. Secure Funding and Resources; and
10. Monitor and Evaluate Progress.

Action Plan. To mitigate the road obstructions in Iba, Zambales, through a combination of infrastructure improvements, traffic management enhancements, and public transportation system upgrades.

1. Assessment and Data Collection (Performed)
2. Data Analysis and Problem Identification (Performed)
3. Strategy Development
4. Implementation
5. Monitoring and Evaluation
6. Reporting and Communication