Department of Transportation (Philippines)

Department of Transportation
Kagawaran ng Transportasyon
Department overview
Formed January 23, 1899
Dissolved June 30, 2016 as Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
Headquarters Clark Freeport, Mabalacat, Pampanga
Annual budget ₱52.9 billion (2015)[1]
Department executive
Website www.dotr.gov.ph

The Department of Transportation (DOTr; Filipino: Kagawarán ng Transportasyon) is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the maintenance and expansion of viable, efficient, and dependable transportation systems as effective instruments for national recovery and economic progress.

The department is responsible for the country's land, air, sea communications infrastructure.

Until June 30, 2016, the department was named Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC; Filipino: Kagawarán ng Transportasyón at Komunikasyón). With Republic Act No. 10844 or "An Act Creating the Department of Information and Communications Technology", signed into law on May 20, 2016 during the administration of Outgoing President Benigno Aquino III, the Information and Communications Technology Office was spun off the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and merged with all operative units of the DOTC dealing with communications, to form the new Department of Information and Communications Technology.[2]

History

From 1899 to 1979 all transportation and communications activities were integrated into the structure and activities of what is now today the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Early history

On July 28, 1979, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), headed by Minister José P. Dans Jr. was formally created pursuant to Executive Order No. 546. Under this Executive Order, the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (MPWTC) was divided into two separate ministries: The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and the Ministry of Public Works and Highways (MPWH).

The MOTC became the primary policy, planning, programming, coordinating, implementing and administrative entity of the executive branch of the government in the promotion, development and regulation of a dependable and coordinated network of transportation and communication systems.

The infrastructure projects undertaken during this period included:

It was also during this period that the motor vehicle registration and control was improved with the introduction of permanent vehicle license plates and the staggered registration system. A bus leasing program provided an additional 1,000 new buses in Metro Manila.

The operations of both the Philippine National Railways and the Metro Manila Transit Corporation were improved and expanded. At the same time, the Manila South Line of the PNR serving the Bicol Region was rehabilitated.

Post-EDSA 1986

On February 26, 1986, just after the 1986 EDSA Revolution, Congressman Hernando B. Pérez was appointed Minister of Transportation and Communication by President Corazon C. Aquino.

In March 1987, technocrat Rainerio O. Reyes, was appointed Minister of MOTC. Immediately after, the MOTC was reorganized pursuant to Executive Order Nos. 125, and 125-A. With these Executive Orders, the MOTC was made into a Department, under the Executive branch of the Government.

Under Secretary Reyes, the quasi-judicial functions of the Department were transferred to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, which was created through Executive Order No. 202.

Under Fidel V. Ramos

Jesus B. Garcia was appointed Secretary of the DOTC by President Fidel V. Ramos. Under Garcia, new entrants were allowed in the landline and cellular phone services, dilapidated taxi cabs were also phased out in favor of brand new and late model units.

Present

By 2016, the foundation of the Department of Information and Communications Technology caused the DOTC to become simply the DOTr as the DICT transferred the DOTC's communications agencies to it.

Starting July 2017 the Agency began transferring its main operations from its longtime Headquarters at Columbia Tower in Mandaluyong to Clark, Mabalacat, Pampanga.[3]

Currently, the DOTr is expected to pursue numerous projects as part of President Rodrigo Duterte's promise to usher in a "Golden Age of Infrastructure"[4] with P3.6T worth of Public Infrastructure Projects being rolled out from 2018 - 2020.

Ongoing Projects

Mega Manila Subway

Main Article : Mega Manila Subway

The Mega Manila Subway is an approved underground rapid transit line to be built in Metro Manila in the Philippines, Financed by an Overseas Development Assistance[5] by Japan amounting to $5 Billion. Construction is projected to begin by 4Q 2018 with a completion target of 2025.

Organizational Structure

The Department is headed by the Secretary of Transportation (Philippines), with the following seven undersecretaries and thirthteen assistant secretaries

  • Undersecretary for Administration and Finance
  • Undersecretary for Road and Infrastructure
  • Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports
  • Undersecretary for Railways
  • Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement
  • Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development
  • Undersecretary for Maritime
  • Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs
  • Assistant Secretary for Administration and Finance
  • Assistant Secretary for Aviation Intelligence and Enforcement
  • Assistant Secretary for Procurement
  • Assistant Secretary for Communications
  • Assistant Secretaries for Maritime
  • Assistant Secretaries for Road Transport and Infrastructure
  • Assistant Secretary for Railways
  • Assistant Secretaries for Planning
  • Assistant Secretary for Project Implementation

Attached agencies

The Mitsubishi Adventure Patrol car of the Land Transportation Office in Butuan City

Land (Road)

Rail

Air

Sea

Miscellaneous

Secretaries of Transportation

References

  1. ↑ "GAA 2015" (PDF). DBM. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  2. ↑ Sabillo, Kristine Angeli (May 23, 2016). "Dep't of Information and Communications Technology created". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  3. ↑ News, Jacque Manabat, ABS-CBN. "DOTr begins transfer to Clark". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2017-11-06.
  4. ↑ Camus, Ben O. de Vera, Jovic Yee, Miguel R. "Dutertenomics: 'Golden age of infrastructure'". Retrieved 2017-11-06.
  5. ↑ Valencia, Czeriza. "Project of the century: Metro Manila subway OK seen in September". philstar.com. Retrieved 2017-11-06.
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