Small Island Spatial Accessibility: The Case of San Vicente, Northern Samar, Philippines

The spatial accessibility serves as a lifeline that sustains the existence and survival of small island communities with limited resources. Yet, there is a lack of studies that focus on transport availability and characteristics as measures of small island spatial accessibility. A Small Island Spatial Accessibility Index (SISAI) was created to determine the spatial accessibility of San Vicente, Northern Samar, an archipelagic municipality consisting of seven small islands. The indicators used include distance (km), number of public vehicles available, one-day return trip (presence/absence), number of vehicles that travel per week, number of trips per week, total vehicle passenger capacity per week, and transport connectivity. The distance and transport characteristics are essential in measuring the small island's spatial accessibility. Environmental factors, e.g., extreme weather events, also affect the accessibility of small islands. Additionally, to understand further the accessibility situation in the island group, the accessibility problems of the islanders were determined using focus groups and surveys. A Spatial Accessibility Problem Confrontation Index (SAPCI) was developed, which showed that disruption of the spatial accessibility of the islands due to big waves, bad weather, unsafe conditions of the vehicles, and unfollowed schedules were the four main problems that concern households. Thus, the stacking of goods, the government's provision of a storage facility, and support of the business sector are critical in sustaining the needs of island communities, especially during calamities. Moreover, the study recommends the conduct of a transportation feasibility study to improve the spatial accessibility of the area.