Technical Session: Highways and Transportation Engineering Seminar

I. PERSONAL REACTION ((comment if any) on the reports of a group, individual reporters designated
on the particular date. (min of 5 sentences))

Celebrating the 57th Foundation Anniversary of the Technological Institute of the

Philippines, the Civil Engineering Department conducted an ACAD Week which includes
a Technical Session: Highways and Transportation Engineering Seminar held at the Dr.
Teresita U. Quirino Hall. Two guest speakers were invited on the said event and was
successfully inspired several of the freshmen Civil Engineering students about the design
of highways and other related engineering matters. The first guest speaker was known to
be the President of the Bellwether Advisory, Inc. Engr. Rene S. Santiago, and discussed
about the Transportation Engineering. Then, Engr. Danny Balisi who was the Chief of
Highway Division, Bureau of Design; Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
deliberated the issues about the Design of Highways. After their talk, they were given
several questions and concerns by the students related on the discussion they tackled.

II. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDIES / ISSUES AND CONCERN (the salient points or highlight/
gees of the issues/ topics. (min of 10 sentences))

Transportation engineering as defined by the guest of honor and a keynote

speaker Engr. Rene S. Santiago, is the application of technology and scientific ideas to
plan, design, operation and management of facilities in order to provide safe and
comfortable transport of individuals and goods. Engr. Santiago actively discussed several
topics and profoundly highlighted an issue related on traffic congestion in many parts of
our country. Moreover, he deliberated some aspects regarding on the modernization of
the public transportations such as jeepneys, busses and etc. There were also a question
and answer portion after his discussion wherein he intensely responded. On the other
hand, after his talk, another resource speaker discussed about the Highway Engineering.
Highway engineering is an engineering discipline which involves planning, design,
construction, operation and maintenance of roads, bridges and tunnels to ensure safe
transportation. It was all discussed by the Chief: Highway Division of the Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Engr Danny Balisi. Furthermore, he emphasized
the importance of designing a highway as well as the problems involving traffic congestion
 which is one of the major problems in our country. He stated one of the main reasons why
traffic congestion is still a problem in the country, and that was all because they only
resolve a traffic in one particular place or road not knowing that the remaining road is in
still in a traffic which tends to stuck all vehicles. In addition, he also enumerates the
elements under the Highway Design as well as the type of materials needed to maintain
a good quality of roads that will lasts longer.

III. PROBLEM (state the main issues/ concerns with regards in a particular topic)

Basically, the main issues with regards in this topic are:

1. Road accidents and traffic congestions

2. Design of roads, highway, bridges and etc.
3. Public vehicles modernization

IV. OBJECTIVE (to be able to answer the stated given problem. (min of 3 bullet points))
 To determine the cause of road accidents and large volume of private and public
vehicles which causes traffic.
 To identify a solution for the design of roads and highways which will be last longer
and maintain its good quality.
 To determine whether public vehicles modernization be effective and help
individuals become comfortable in transportation.
V. TIME CONTEXT (date, current issues, year, month etc.)

06 MMDA implemented higher fines on illegally parked 2019 January

12 Solutions to Manila traffic and road safety issues 2017 October
03 DOTC powers to solve traffic crisis 2016 June
10 Senate hearing on transportation crisis 2016 August

VI. VIEW POINT (a responsible [people, agencies, organizations etc.] who can handle or who can give a
solution in the particular scenario’s or in stated problem)

Organizations that can handle and give a solution in the stated problems:

 Department of Transportation (DOTr)

 Local Government Units (LGUs)
  Land Transportation Office (LTO)
 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
 Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

VII. COURSES OF CONSIDERATION (what is the key factor that you might consider that the said issues
might become a setback/ problem. (min of 3 bullets))

 There are many factors which causes traffic in a particular place of our country.
Too much used of private vehicles which indeed contribute to the volume on roads
as well as public utility vehicles.
 Poor maintenance and design of roads and highways.
 High rate of transportation accidents because of the poor quality of vehicles.
VIII. ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION (what is the key factor that you might think to answer/
respond the stated. (min of 3 bullets))

 If not necessary, avoid using private vehicles in order to decrease the amount of
volume on roads.
 Use a high and good quality of materials in road construction as well as proper
maintenance for the sustainable transportation.
 Modernize all the old public vehicles in order to provide a safe and comfortable
transport of people and goods.
IX. ACTION PLAN (present in table form included: time frame, activities/ training, seminar etc. and
conducted by the responsible people, agencies with relation to the given scenario or issues.)

Agencies or
Activities/ Responsible
Time Frame Seminar Organizations
Training people
involve
Land Transportation
Seminar on
Franchising and
5 hours Transportation All vehicle drivers
Regulatory Board
Engineering
(LTFRB)
Department of
Seminar related to Transportation Public Works and
6 hours
Highway Designs Engineers Highways
(DPWH)

X. RECOMMENDATION (3 sentences)
 As for the engineers responsible for maintaining the use of roads and highways,
they must consider several factors which will help sustain the use of transportation. They
must consider the materials needed for the constructions. Wherein it must be a high
quality and have a good standard in order to be last longer. And for the individuals, instead
of using cars or private vehicle to your designated location, use public transportation. It
does not only help reduce the volume of vehicles on road, but also help you as an
individual particularly to your health.

XI. CONCLUSION (3 sentences)

In conclusion, there are several engineering disciplines that are related to

transportation engineering such as Highway Engineering, Railroad Engineering, Airport
Engineering as well as Port and Harbor Engineering which have their own designated
duties. Also, Transportation Engineering has an urban concept that involves planning,
designing and management of transportation systems for the safe and efficient movement
of individuals and properties. Moreover, transportation signifies the most important
component to maintain a good function of an urban area. Without transportation, an
individual cannot transfer to a certain place and the goods that we need in our daily lives
will not be enough if we will not trade to other countries for our lifetime supply.