The Philippine

Highway System
Catalon, Freddierick R.
Corpuz, Stephanie V.
Dulay, Librado Joshua M.
Fernando, Mclaire C.
Nachor, Marcelino
BSCE 3-4 W_F 7:00-8:30 AM
CENGR 3130
The Philippine
Highway System

The Philippine highway network refers to the

highway system of the Philippines. It is a
network of national roads owned and
maintained by the Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) which are
organized into three classifications
depending on their function or purpose they
serve within the highway system: national
primary, secondary, and tertiary roads. 

2
Branches of government task for construction,
management and maintenance of the
highway system in the Philippines
DPWH (department of Public Works and Highways)

DOTr (Department of Transportation)

DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government)

MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority)

3
DPWH (Department of Public Works
And Highways)
History
 ” Department of Public Works and Highways or DPWH has
been long withstanding as the infrastructure arm of the
Philippines. It started during the Spanish Colonial Era.
 It was in 1900s when the transportation depended on roads. At
this period, the construction of highways in the Philippines
seemed to be impossible. It was during in the American Period
when the roadways were developed in the Philippines.
 After a long process of evolution by virtue of Executive Order
No. 124, dated January 30, 1987, the agency is now known as
the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with
five (5) bureaus, six (6) services, sixteen (16 regional offices,
twenty-four (24) project management offices sixteen (16)
regional equipment services and one-hundred eighteen (118)
district engineering offices.

4
 Functions Mandate
 Continuously develop its technology for the purpose of  The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is
ensuring the safety of all infrastructure facilities and one of the three departments of the government undertaking
securing for all public works and highways the highest major infrastructure projects. The DPWH is mandated to
efficiency and quality in construction. undertake (a) the planning of infrastructure, such as national
 Currently responsible for the planning, design, roads and bridges, flood control, water resources projects
construction and maintenance of infrastructure, and other public works, and (b) the design, construction,
especially the national highways, flood control and and maintenance of national roads and bridges, and major
water resources development system, and other public flood control systems.
works in accordance with national development
objectives.

5
 Vision

 By 2030, DPWH is an effective and efficient government agency, improving the life of
every Filipino through quality infrastructure.

Mission

 To provide and manage quality infrastructure facilities and services responsive to the
needs of the Filipino people in the pursuit of national development objectives.

6
DOTr (Department of Transportation)

 ABOUT

 The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is the primary policy,

planning, programming, coordinating, implementing and
administrative entity of the executive branch of the government on
the promotion, development and regulation of a dependable and
coordinated network of transportation systems, as well as in the
fast, safe, efficient and reliable transportation services.
 As one of the first government agencies established under the
Malolos Constitution on January 21, 1899, the DOTr plays a
crucial role in accelerating the country's economic development. It
provides the backbone for growth and enhances the country's
competitive edge by providing effective and efficient
transportation infrastructure systems that narrow the geographical
and physical divide, connecting the country, its islands, and its
people to the rest of the world

7
 Functions

• Policy formulation
• Industry/ services regulation
• Infrastructure development
• International cooperation

8
 Vision

 By 2030, DOTr is a world class organization, providing integrated transport, connecting

people, islands, families, communities and the nation with the rest of the world, and
constantly responding for environmentally sustainable and global competitive transport.

Mission
 To provide the country with efficient, effective, and secure transportation systems
that are globally competitive, compliant with international standards, and responsive
to the changing times.
9
DILG (Department of Interior and
Local Government)
 HISTORY

 The present Department of the Interior and Local Government

(DILG) traces its roots from the Philippine Revolution of 1897. On
March 22, 1897, the Katipunan Government established the first
Department of Interior at the Tejeros Convention.
 The Department of Interior was enshrined in the Biak-na-Bato
Constitution signed on November 1, 1897. Article XV of the said
Constitution defined the powers and functions of the Department
that included statistics, roads and bridges, agriculture, public
information and posts, and public order.
 In 1950, the Department was abolished and its functions were
transferred to the Office of Local Government (later renamed
Local Government and Civil Affairs Office) under the Office of
the President.
 In 1972, Presidential Decree No. 1 created the Department of
Local Government and Community Development (DLGCD)
through Letter of Implementation No. 7 on November 1, 1972
 Again, on December 13, 1990, the DLG underwent reorganization
into what is now known as the Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG) by virtue of Republic Act No. 6975
10
 Functions and Powers
 Assist the President in the exercise of general supervision over local governments;
 Advise the President in the promulgation of policies, rules, regulations and other issuances on the general supervision over local governments
and on public order and safety;
 Establish and prescribe rules, regulations and other issuances implementing laws on public order and safety, the general supervision over local
governments and the promotion of local autonomy and community empowerment and monitor compliance thereof;
 Provide assistance towards legislation regarding local governments, law enforcement and public safety; 
Establish and prescribe plans, policies, programs and projects to promote peace and order, ensure public safety and further strengthen the
administrative, technical and fiscal capabilities of local government offices and personnel;
 Formulate plans, policies and programs which will meet local emergencies arising from natural and man-made disasters; 
Establish a system of coordination and cooperation among the citizenry, local executives and the Department, to ensure effective and efficient
delivery of basic services to the public;
 Organize, train and equip primarily for the performance of police functions, a police force that is national in scope and civilian in character.

11
 Vision

 A strongly determined and highly trusted Department committed to capacitate and nurture
local government units, public order and safety institutions to sustain peaceful,
progressive, and resilient communities where people live happily.

Mission
 The Department shall promote peace and order, ensure public safety, strengthen
capability of local government units through active people participation and a
professionalized corps of civil servants.
12
MMDA (Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority)

 HISTORY
 Presidential Decree No. 824, signed on Nov. 7, 1975 by then
President Ferdinand Marcos, created the Metro Manila
Commission (MMC) which was the predecessor of the
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
 On Jan. 9, 1990, the MMC became the Metro Manila Authority by
virtue of Executive Order No. 392.
 On March 1, 1995, through Republic Act No. 7924, the office was
given its present name.
 The late Malabon Mayor Prospero Oreta was the first MMDA
chair.

13
 Functions Service
 Formulate, coordinate and regulate the implementation  Development planning which includes the preparation of
medium and long-term development plans; the development
of medium and long-term plans and programs for the
evaluation and packaging of projects; investment
delivery of metro-wide services, land use and physical programming and coordination and monitoring of plan,
development within Metropolitan Manila, consistent program and project implementation.
with national development objectives and priorities  Transport and traffic management which includes the
 Prepare, coordinate and regulate the implementation of formulation, coordination and monitoring of policies,
standards, programs and projects to rationalize the existing
medium-term investment programs for metro-wide transport operations, infrastructure requirements, the use of
services which shall indicate sources and uses of funds thoroughfares, and promotions of safe and convenient
for priority programs and projects, and which shall movement of persons and goods; provision for the mass
include the packaging of projects and presentation to transport system and the institution of a system to regulate
funding institutions; road users;

14
 Vision

   “TOWARDS A HUMANE WORLD – CLASS METROPOLIS”

Mission
 As a humane metropolis, Metropolitan Manila will become a livable and workable
physical environment for all.

15
Types of vehicle used for
land transportation
in the
Philippines.
Types of Vehicle

1. Jeepney
2. Tricycle
3. Pedicab
4. Habal-Habal
5. Kalesa
6. Rail
7. Bus
8. Taxi 17
  Jeepneys (Filipino: Dyipni), are buses and the most
Jeepney popular means of public transportation ubiquitous in the
Philippines. They are known for their crowded seating
and kitsch decorations, which have become a
widespread symbol of Philippine culture and art.

 Jeepneys are the Philippines’ most popular form of

public transportation, and they are a pure anachronism.
They got their start as Willys Jeeps left behind when
American GIs departed the Philippines at the end of
World War II. Filipinos then began recycling them as
buses with bodies made from galvanized or stainless
steel, fabric covers instead of side windows, and
longitudinally mounted benches with room for 20 (or
more) passengers.

18
  Motorized tricycles, or simply tricycles, is a type of
motorized vehicle from the Philippines consisting of a
Tricycle motorcycle attached to a passenger cab. Along with the
jeepney, it is one of the most common means of public
or private transportation in the Philippines, especially in
rural areas. These public utility vehicles either ply a set
route or are for-hire, like taxis.

 The exact date of the appearance of the tricycle in the

Philippines is unknown, but it started appearing after
World War 2, roughly at the same time as the appearance
of the jeepney. It is most likely derived from the Rikuo
Type 97 military motorcycle used by the Imperial
Japanese Army in the Philippines starting at 1941. The
motorcycle was essentially a licensed copy of a Harley-
Davidson with a sidecar. However, there is also another
hypothesis which places the origin of the tricycle to the
similarly built "trisikad", a human-powered cycle
rickshaw built in the same configuration as the tricycle.

19
  Pedicab or "Padyak" is another means of transportation
in the Philippines. Pedicab is synonymous to cycle
rickshaw, bikecab, cyclo, becak, trishaw and rickshaw
Pedicab which is generally refers to a human powered tricycle
designed to carry passengers and goods. In Philippines
some called it "Padyak" simply because it is powered by
foot in the pedal. Pedicab is widely used throughout the
world but most commonly used in South, East and
Southeast Asia.

 In Manila especially in Divisoria, it is already part of

daily business. Some passengers choose pedicab because
of its cheapest fare for transportation and for delivery of
goods compared to tricycle, kuliglig or taxi. During
rainy season in Manila where many of lowered
motorized vehicle cannot go to the flood, it is the time
for pedicab or "padyak" to earn more compared to
regular days. Some charge a little bit higher, but crossing
to floods without your shoes and pants soaked with
water is justifiable.
20
Habal-Habal  Habal-Habal is a popular way of travelling in many
areas of Mindanao, located in southern Philippines. It is
used especially in remote villages with rough and
narrow roads. Farmers also need the Habal-Habal to
transport their goods to the market.

 A big help to locals usually living in mountainous areas

wherein roads are mostly not accessible by 4 wheel
vehicles. Interesting about this mode of transportation is
that the ability/skill of the driver to balance considering
the weight of the passengers from side to side, front,
plus another 3 to 4 persons at his back. Habal-habal the
roads traversed by the bikes are mostly dirt roads paved
with mud and gravel. Even if they are asphalted, the
blacktop is usually paper-thin, narrow, extremely bumpy,
and riddled with potholes.

21
  A kalesa (also known as calesa, carromata, or caritela in
Philippine Spanish) is a two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage
used in the Philippines. It is commonly vividly painted and
decorated. It was a primary mode of public and private
Kalesa transportation during the colonial era of the Philippines, though
in modern times, they largely only survive as tourist attractions.

 Kalesa were first introduced to the Philippines in the 1700s by

the Spanish. It became the major public and private form of
transport in the Philippines up until the early 20th century. It
was also used to transport goods. They were manufactured by
traditional workshops known as karoserya.
 Use of the kalesa declined after World War II, when mass
public transportation was largely taken over by motorized
jeepneys and tricycles. Kalesa in modern times are largely
only used as tourist attractions. They are still preserved in
some areas of the Philippines, such as in San Fernando,
Pampanga, Vigan and Laoag

22
  There has been rail transport in the Philippines for over 120
Rail System years. On June 25, 1875, King Alfonso XII of Spain
promulgated a Royal Decree directing the Office of the
Inspector of Public Works of the Philippines to submit a
general plan for railroads on Luzon. It’s currently used
mostly to transport passengers within Metro Manila and the
nearby province of Laguna, as well as a commuter service in
the Bicol Region. Freight transport services once operated in
the country, but these services were halted.
 Philippine National Railways resumed daily long-distance
passenger trains between Manila and Naga City, after they'd
been discontinued some years previously due to typhoon
damage. The Bicol Express train is a comfortable and safe
way to travel between Manila and Naga, overnight with
comfortable air-conditioned sleepers bought second-hand
from Japanese Railways. In 2012, the Mayon Limited trains
were added, later renamed Isarog Limited, and train service
was extended beyond Naga to Ligao, not far short of
Legazpi. It was hoped to extend trains to Legazpi in due
course.

23
Bus  For long distance land transportation in the Philippines you
will have to use the bus. Regular and air-conditioned buses
that service several cities and provinces in the Philippines
are privately-owned. These buses serve to connect provinces
with the Metropolis; others operate city-wide in Metro
Manila. They provide more comfort for long distance land
travel. Those that operate in the city ply daily. Those going
to the provinces have regular.
 A bus ride can be as short as 30 minutes for in-city transfer
and as long as 14 hours for long distance provincial trips.
Buses usually do not go to the city-centers. They stop at
peripheral bus terminals. Small cities as Bacolod or Iloilo
have only one terminal. Big cities like Manila or Cebu-City
do have several terminals. Each of them deserves a
particular region. There is no problem to find the right
terminal.

24
Taxi
 Air conditioned taxicabs more commonly known as FX
taxis are available in the city. Metered taxis can take a
passenger anywhere in the city, but will charge a different
rate when you have to go beyond city limits. There are also
airport taxis that only serve passengers coming to and from
the airport. These charge higher fees and available on call.
The FX taxis join the rest of the buses and jeepneys on their
routes during regular hours and normally will be found
waiting for passengers in designated terminals to wait for
passengers to specific destinations.

25
Personal
Experiences and
opinion about the
situation of the
Land
Transportation in
the Philippines
26
“Proper Maintenance
of Vehicles”
 Riding public transportation was part of my daily routine before this pandemic
happened. I used to ride jeepney/xlt to school every morning, and whenever I
go home on the afternoon. I can say that it is quite convenient and cheaper
compared to tricycles. However, comfort is never guaranteed in riding a
jeepney/xlt. On sunny days whenever it is full, the narrow inside of the
jeepney/xlt leaves no space making it impossible for air to get inside, and that
causes too much heat. In addition, everytime I ride jeepney/xlt on rainy days, I
still get soaked because most of their windows are broken and it doesn’t
protect the passengers enough from the rain. I think the best solution for this
is to upgrade or redesign jeepneys/xlt in a way that makes the passenger
more comfortable. For instance, making the roof higher to have more space
for air to enter. Also, proper maintenance or checking or vehicles should be
imposed by the authority to maintain comfort and safe ride for passengers.
27
- Mclaire Fernando
“STRAIGHT ROADS NEVER
MADE SKILLFUL DRIVER”
 The first and foremost, every driver should be advised to take good care
of their vehicle. We have to make sure that our vehicles are in good
running condition and repair them at the earliest before travelling. It’s
better to be shocked and to realize something was wrong while we were
in the garage, rather than realizing the same while we were driving. We
should check our vehicle problem by using the help of mechanic. So, we
can drive our vehicles and arrived to our destination safely. Secondly,
every driver should do not speed while driving their vehicles. This is the
main reason that contributes to the road accident happened. The
government should introduce deterrence to reduce the accident on our
road. There is no speed limit on the road to success so, we should take
care ourselves to precent this situation. – Librado Joshua Dulay 28
“Modernizing Public Transport in the Philippines”

 The lack of appealing public transportation encourages the use of

cars and motorcycles, increasing already severe traffic congestion in
the Philippines' biggest cities, resulting in economic and
environmental costs. Transportation has an impact on me practically
every element of Filipinos' everyday lives, from direct consequences
like mobility and commuting time to indirect effects like food pricing. I
suggest that the key step in the right direction would be increased
investment in highways, skyways, MRT, and bus networks, supported
by a simpler, more equal, and more efficient package of tax policy
reforms. The Philippines needs better trains, fewer cars, advanced
infrastructure, smaller "walkable cities," less corruption, rural
development, and more economic opportunities.- Marcelino Nachor 29
“Invest in
transportation
Vehicle”

Experience
1. Being late in class or in any important agenda during peak time. More
public transport like train and Improvement the implementation and guideline of
public transport.
2. Stuck in traffic. Clearing operation so that the flow of vehicle is continuous
and constructing additional roads so that we can have different preferred route
for our destination.
Generalization
Overall, for me our land transportation is far from the ideal. But we are on
the right track because of the program of the government that support
expansion of road, building a new route and invest in transportation vehicle
like train.
30
-Freddierick Catalon
References:
https://dbpedia.org/page/Philippine_highway_network
https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/about/history
https://lawphil.net/administ/dpwh/dpwh.html
https://dotr.gov.ph/2014-09-02-05-01-41.html
https://region1.dilg.gov.ph/index.php/2016-04-28-14-43-07/brief-history
https://www.dilg.gov.ph
https://mmda.gov.ph/10-transparency/6-mmda-s-scope-of-services-its-functions-and-powers.html
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15344340/the-history-of-the-jeepney-the-philippines-mass-transit-solution/
http://noypicollections.blogspot.com/2011/08/pedicab-or-padyak-another-option-for.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalesa#cite_note-Vigan-4
https://aboutphilippines.org/documents-etc/HABAL.pdf
https://www.seat61.com/Philippines.htm
http://preparetoserve.com/blog/modes-of-transportation-in-the-philippines/#:
~:text=Some%20of%20the%20main%20modes%20of%20transportation%20in
,was%20a%20remnant%20from%20the%20World%20War%20II.

31