DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS

Christine Rose D. Labao

3BLM
I. BACKGROUND

A. HISTORY

The Department underwent a long process of development and evolution that depended
upon the change is government shift of administration policies and reorganization in its
structure and responsibilities to suit the demands of times.

The Organic Decree of the Philippine Revolutionary Government on June 23, 1898
issued by General Emilio Aguinaldo paved way for the creation of four departments in
the government which are the Department of Foreign Affairs, Navy and Commerce,
Department of Finance, Agriculture and Manufacturing Industry, Department of Police
and Public Order, Justice, Education and Hygiene, and the Department of War and Public
Works. Though it was once included the Department of War, now Department of
National Defense, its functions are inherent in the present department. The Department of
War and Public Works functions as builder and maintainer of roads, bridges and other
public structures.

The Philippine Commission passed Act Nos. 222 and 268 in 1902 which created the
Department of Commerce and Police which gave birth to the Bureau of Engineering and
Construction of public works and the Bureau of Architecture and Construction of public
buildings.

The Philippine Commission passed Act No. 1401 which provided for abolishing
engineering districts and positions of district engineers. By virtue of a Reorganization
Act, the Bureau of Public Works was created and placed under Department of Commerce
and Police.

By 1916, a significant headway in the growth of the department was the first appearance
of motor vehicles in the Philippine highways. Due to this progress, roads and bridges had
to be kept in good condition at all times. To keep pace with further development in
transportation and communications, the Department of Commerce and Police
transformed into the Department of Commerce and Communications under
Reorganization Act of 2666.

More development took place when the Philippine Legislature passed Act No. 4007 of
1931 renaming the Department of Commerce and Communications as Department of
Public Works and Communications although the department had to stop operations
during the outbreak of World War II. When it resumed operations, it started with limited
manpower, funds, materials, and equipment. An office of the U.S. Bureau of Public
Roads was set up to cooperate with the Philippine Bureau of Public Works in
implementing the highway program as authorized by the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of
1946.

Under Executive Order No. 392 of 1951, the Department of Public Works and
Communications was reconstituted to Department of Public Works, Transportation and
Communications to include Bureaus of Public Works, Posts, Telecommunications, Motor
Vehicles Office, Irrigation Council, Flood Control Commission, Radio Control Board,
National Transportation Board and Government Quarters Committee.

In 1954, Republic Act No. 1192 created Bureau of Public Highways in relation to road
and bridge construction and maintenance and was placed under the Department of Public
Works, Transportation and Communications. This Act provided for a more effective
management of Philippine Highways under a commissioner.

Through Administrative Order No. 2 of 1974, the former Bureau of Public Highways
expanded and restructured into Department of Public Highways for a more effective
administration of the country’s highways system.

In 1976, through the shift in the form of government, national agencies were renamed
from department to ministries. Thus, DPWTC became Ministry of Public Works,
Transportation and Communications and DPH as Ministry of Public Highways.
 Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications was restructured into two
ministries – Ministry of Public Works and Ministry of Transportation and
Communications by virtue of Executive Order No. 546 of 1979. The Ministries of Public
Works and Public Highways were merged to Ministry of Public Works and Highways for
a more effective and sustained implementation of the infrastructure projects under
Executive Order No. 710 of 1981.

By virtue of Executive Order No. 124, the agency is now known as the Department of
Public Works and Highways and functions as the primary engineering and construction
arm of the government.

B. MANDATE

The DPWH is mandated to undertake:

a. Planning of infrastructure, such as national roads and bridges, flood control, water
resources projects and other public works; and
b. The design, construction, and maintenance of national roads and bridges and major
flood control systems.

C. VISION

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

D. 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.
E. OBJECTIVES

Quality Policy:

We commit to provide quality, safe, and environment-friendly public infrastructure

facilities that will improve the life of every Filipino.

We commit to comply with all requirements and to continually improve effectiveness and
efficiency in serving the public.

We endeavor to implement the RIGHT PROJECTS at the RIGHT COST determined

through transparent and competitive bidding; with the RIGHT QUALITY, according to
international standards; delivered RIGHT ON TIME through close monitoring of
project implementation; and carried out by the RIGHT PEOPLE who are competent and
committed to uphold the values of public service, integrity, professionalism, excellence,
and teamwork.

II. ATTACHED AGENCIES

A. Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems

It is the government agency in charge of water privatization in Metro Manila in

the Philippines. The agency has spilt the water concession into an east and west
 concession with Manila Water being awarded one contract and Maynilad Water
Services being awarded another.

B. Local Water Utilities Administration

A government-owned and controlled corporation with a specialized lending

function mandated by law to promote and oversee the development of water
supply systems in provincial cities and municipalities outside of Metropolitan
Manila.
C. Road Board

An organization that is responsible to ensure adequate maintenance of national

and provincial roads through sufficient funding. It is also mandated to implement
prudent and efficient management and utilization of special funds for the purpose
of road maintenance and improvement of road drainage, installation of adequate
traffic light and road safety devices and air pollution control.

Road Board was abolished in last February due to corruption allegations.

BUREAUS

A. Bureau of Construction

Reviews and evaluates programs, estimates, contracts, progress reports of DPWH

projects. The bureau also inspects, checks and monitor construction projects of
DPWH implementing offices and other government agencies.
B. Bureau of Design

This bureau conducts, supervises and reviews the results of field surveys to
review the schemes, designs, specifications, estimates, contract documents
covering technical design aspects in accordance with current standards and
guidelines.

C. Bureau of Equipment

Takes custody of DPWH equipment, undertakes maintenance and administers

equipment rental. It formulates guidelines, policies, rules and regulations on
nationwide allocation and utilization of equipment.

D. Bureau of Maintenance

Engaged in the continuous conduct of field inspections to effectively monitor

maintenance activities of the District Engineering Offices.

E. Bureau of Research and Standards

Undertakes research programs to improve quality of projects in DPWH. It also

undertakes researches to identify appropriate standards in the implementation of
projects in coordination with the private sector.

F. Bureau of Quality and Safety

In charge of the formulation and implementation of policies for the purpose of

ensuring safety of all infrastructure facilities. It is also responsible for
establishment of traffic engineering policies, analysis and evaluation of accident
data.
 III. SECRETARIES

PRESIDENT SECRETARY COVERED PERIOD

Joseph Estrada Gregorio Vigilar June 1, 1998 – January
20, 2001
Simeon Datumaong January 20, 2001 –
January 15, 2003
Bayani Fernando January 15, 2003 – April
15, 2003
Hermogenes Ebande, Jr. February 15, 2005 –
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo February 1, 2007
Manuel Bunoan February 1, 2007 – July
4, 2007
Hermogenes Ebande, Jr. July 4, 2007 – October
22, 2009
Victor Domingo October 22, 2009 – June
30, 2016
Benigno Aquino III Rogelio Sison June 30, 2010 – June 30,
2016
Rodrigo Duterte Mark Villar August 1, 2016 - Present
IV. NOTABLE PROJECTS

Metro Manila Skyway, Stage 1, Phase 1, Bictuan-Buendia (1999)

During the Estrada Administration with Gregorio Vigilar as secretary, the Metro
Manila Skyway was erected. It is an elevated highway which serves as the main
expressway in southern Metro Manila. It stretches from Gil Puyat Avenue in the north
to Alabang-Zapote Road in the south and crosses through Makati, Pasay, Taguig,
Paranaque and Muntinlupa.
C-5 Ortigas Avenue Extension Interchange Project, Pasig (2003)

Constructed and erected during the Arroyo Administration with Bayani Fernando as
secretary. IT is a pair of intersecting flyovers in Pasig that serves as junction between
Circumferential Road and Ortigas Avenue.

NAIA Expressway (2009)

Also constructed during the Arroyo Administration with Hermogenes Ebande, Jr. as
secretary, it is an elevated expressway system which links Metro Manila Skyway to
Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Entertainment City.
Daan Hari – SLEX Link Road Project (2015)

Under the Aquino Administration with Rogelio Sison as secretary, Daang Hari –
SLEX Link Road Project or what is now called the Muntinlupa – Cavite Expressways
was built. It is a four-lane toll road, form the junction of Daang Reyna and Daang
Hari in Las Pinas, Cavite to SLEX through Susana Heights Interchange in
Muntinlupa, traversing the New Bilibid Prison Reservation.

NAIA Expressway Project Phase II (2016)

 NAIAX was further improved during the Aquino Administration. It now includes
extension all the way to Macapagal Boulevard in Entertainment City via Andrews
Avenue and NAIA Road.

V. BUDGET

YEAR BUDGET RANK

1998 61,923,754,000.00 2
1999 37,774,044,000.00 3
2000 52,404,945,000.00 3
2001 52,404,945,000.00 3
2002 48,043,263,000.00 3
2003 32,756,022,000.00 4
2004 32,756,022,000.00 4
2005 42,472,572,000.00 4
2006 42,472,572,000.00 4
2007 71,223,412,000.00 2
2008 94,728,959,000.00 2
2009 129,890,023,000.00 2
2010 126,930,988,000.00 2
2011 100,826,083,000.00 3
2012 109,833,404,000.00 2
2013 155,517,533,000.00 2
2014 206,634,047,000.00 2
2015 290,470,888,000.00 2
2016 384,287,164,000.00 2
2017 454,721,013,000.00 2
2018 637,864,483,000.00 1
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 As shown in charts above, the annual budgets of the department do not rank lower
than 4. Construction and maintenance require an immense commitment of time,
manpower, and funds. The Department of Public Works and Highways allocate most
of their budget on construction and maintenance of highways and also for flood
control. A portion of their budget is allocated on partnerships with private sectors.

VI. MEASURABLE RESULTS

The following are performance indicators that show whether the department has made
improvements in relation to construction and infrastructures.

A. Road Roughness

Note: Segments of the roads with an average IRI of:

1-3 are in “good” condition,
>3-5 in “fair” condition,
>5-7 in “poor” condition and
> 7 in “bad” condition.
Pavement roughness is an expression of irregularities in the pavement surface that adversely
affect ride quality of a vehicle. Roughness is an important pavement characteristic because it not
only affects ride quality but also vehicle delay costs, fuel consumption, and maintenance costs.
The International Roughness Index is used to evaluate new pavement construction, to determine
penalties or bonus payments based on smoothness.

Based on the chart above, the IRI has given a rating of roads per region a 4.62 for the year 2016
which indicates that the quality of roads here in the country is merely fair. In 2017, IRI has given
a rating of roads per region a 4.12. Comparing these two years, it can be said that the quality of
road construction and maintenance has diminished.

B. Bridge Condition
For the year 2016, in the Cordillera Administrative Region, there is a total of 320 bridges, and
more than half of these, 240 bridges, were evaluated having satisfactory ratings, being either
good or fair. On the other hand, 39 bridges were found to be in either poor or bad condition,
which then shows the need for improvement in those structures. Also, 41 bridges have yet to
receive evaluation. Out of 289 bridges located in the National Capital Region, almost all, 270
bridges to be exact are of satisfactory condition, being rated as either good or fair by the
Department. However, there are still bridges that need improvement, given that 12 bridges were
rated as poor, and 5 bridges were rated as bad. Notably, there are still 2 bridges that await
evaluation.

For the year 2017, out of the 332 bridges in CAR, 289 of these bridges were evaluated with
satisfactory ratings and 27 bridges were found to be in poor or bad condition. In NCR, there is a
total 288 bridges and 269 of these bridges were found to be in either good or fair condition while
only 12 bridges are found to be in poor condition.
Comparing the data gathered, the condition of the bridges found in CAR and NCR have
improved in the year 2017. It can be said that the bridges are well-maintained since there are no
bridges evaluated to be in bad condition. Merely 7 bridges need further assessment.

VII. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND CORRESPONDING SOLUTIONS

A. Construction materials not in conformity with the standard specification

requirements

To address such problem, accreditation of Project Engineers and Inspectors and

Materials Engineers of Contractors and Consultants shall continue to be in process in
order that evaluation of materials and equipment will be more accurate and improved.

B. Non-compliance to the provisions of pertinent Department Orders and

Administrative Issuances relative to Materials Quality Control and Construction
Procedures

To improve project implementation, all Project Engineers/Inspectors, will be

continually trained and construction supervision on all DPWH infrastructure projects
will be tightened. DPWH officials and employees will also undergo reorientation
seminar periodically.

C. Inadequate testing capability of Regional and District Offices laboratories

Additional funds shall be allocated for the standardization of regional and district
laboratories in order for laboratories to further improve their operations.