1 History of Philippine Highway

History of Highway in the

Philippines

Early 1900’s

Transportation is dependent on trails, water ways, railroads, earth roads and partially gravelled roads.

1868 : The Bureau of Public Works and Highways were organized under a civil engineer known as “Director General”

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo provided for the creation of four (4) Departments in the government, one of which was the DEPARTMENT OF WAR AND PUBLIC WORKS.

◦ its functions as builder and maintainer of roads, bridges and other public works structures

Department of War (Department of National Defense)

Post World War II

The new and independent government of the Philippines continued the rehabilitation and construction of roads through reparation and war damages paid by the Japanese government.

Other financial support and aids are provided by the US government for the innovation of roads and bridges.

The American Government were

the ones who initiated the development of roadways making

connections between towns, cities and

provinces the country.

1898 : The public works and activities were placed under the U.S. Army engineers

1902 : creation of the Department of Commerce and Police which gave birth to the ◦ Bureau of Engineering (Construction of public

works)◦ Bureau of Architecture (Construction of public

buildings)

Need for a more extensive road network that would penetrate the rural areas ◦ In order to achieve that end, provincial boards

were created with authority to collect double cedula taxes to finance the construction of provincial roads and bridges

◦ In addition, the national government appropriated P1,700,000 as aid to such constructions.

1910 : The first appearance of motor vehicles in the Philippine highways

Roads and bridges had to be kept in good condition at all times.  Naturally, there was a need for funds to keep the roads passable the whole year round. 

1921 : To raise such needed funds, motor vehicles and drivers plying the highways were required to register with fee

1954 : In relation to road and bridge construction and maintenance, the Bureau of Public Highways was created and placed under the Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications. ◦ This provided for a more effective management

of the Philippine Highways under a Commissioner. 

◦ Active plans & programs were formulated & implemented.

• 1981 : Ministry of Public Works and Highways (MPWH) ◦ The Ministries of Public Works and Public

Highways were merged for a more effective and sustained implementation of infrastructure projects. 

Marcos Era

During his first term as president, he initiated ambitious public works projects on roads, bridges, schools, health centers, irrigation facilities, and urban beautification projects that improved the quality of life of Filipinos.

Marcos’ Achievements Bridges:

o San Juanico Bridge Toll-ways:

o Manila North Diversion Roads and Highways:

o Marcos Highway

1960 – 1980 (Automobile Age)

Cars are no longer a luxury but a necessary in transporting people and goods.

During this decade, roads construction is a matter of priority of the government.

“The nation is on Wheels”

 1987- Department of Public Works and Highways◦ As the primary engineering and

construction arm of the government◦ They are responsible for the planning,

design, construction and maintenance of infrastructures such as roads and bridges, flood control systems, water resource development projects and other public works in accordance with national objectives

Major highways and expressways were constructed through the financial and loans from foreign bank.

But with this improvement, vehicles started clogging the roadways causing various traffic problems.

In 2007, there were about 5.53 million registered motor vehicles with registration increasing at an average annual rate of 4.55%

Statistics: (as of 2010)

203,025 kilometers (126,154 mi) of roads in the country, only around 20% of the total is paved.