It's certainly a new phrase or term for me. I've heard about Philippines infrastructure and I'm sure it refers to something that has been built for public use or specific usage such as buildings, parks, bridges, roads, etc.. Surely, I've heard about 'asset' too. In accounting, it is your business' capital or something owned with a value or that which generates profit or can be used to satisfy a debt for a business.
Meaning of Infrastructure Asset Management
In a nutshell, the meaning of infrastructure asset management refers to a set of strategies implemented to prolong the life of public infrastructure. These include roads, bridges, water treatment facilities, and railways that usually are in their late stage of life. The focus is on maintenance and rehabilitation and replacement.
Asset management on the other hand is aimed at preserving and extending the service life of the Philippine's infrastructure which has a direct effect on people's quality of life and the economy. Special software is used to organize data and implement these strategies.
Why is There a Need for Infrastructure Asset Management?
Existing infrastructure like parks, bridges, roads, and electric transmissions, mostly have been existing for many years. Some are a few years old or are in the process of being built. For aging and existing infrastructure Philippines, there's an increasing challenge to prolong its use or extend is its service life.
The current scene sees the growth of construction and industry firms, design companies, and professional bodies and licensing agencies responsible to oversee and control specific practices or professions for the public's interest. This inevitably resulted to a separation of functions and processes within the infrastructure Philippines system that should be unified to begin with.
Integrated Approach
However, the need for a more two-fold or integrated approach is emerging through the inception of infrastructure management Philippines project plans. This is for the sake of maintaining public facilities effectively in terms of costs and benefits to society.
Verdict
Modern society depends on its infrastructure such as roads, railways, water supply, parks, etc. Sometimes, infrastructure is taken for granted until it fails or loses its optimal use. Given the state of aging infrastructure, the need for effective use of funds, a more proactive infrastructure asset management surely have its place.