Transport evolves as growth driver

Marking its 126th year, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) has accelerated the completion of various projects.

As transportation serves as the backbone of the economy, the DoTr plays a vital role in developing and implementing transport systems across railways, aviation, maritime and road sectors.

Over the decades, the DoTr has transformed the nation’s transportation landscape through significant advancements in policy, planning, development, implementation, and regulation of transport systems.

The country’s transportation sector traces its roots back to 1891 when the colonial train had its first commercial run on the Manila-Dagupan Ferrocaril line.

The opening of the first commercial rail line was, however, caught between two colonial overlords — the Spaniards and the Americans.

Then came the proclamation of the Malolos Constitution when the First Philippine Republic was established in January 1899 and President Apolinario Mabini included the transportation and communications sectors under the Department of Public Welfare.

From the American colonization period in the early 1900s, to the Commonwealth government, Philippine Republic, and up to the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the transportation sector was merged with communications, defense, commerce and public works portfolios.

Reorienting roles

To redefine the roles and priorities of each government ministry, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. issued in July 1979 Executive Order 546 that divided the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications into two agencies, the Ministry of Public Works and Highways and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

Significant strides under MoTC were vehicle registration, the introduction of permanent license plates, and the provision of new buses in Metro Manila. The agency also spearheaded airport improvements and traffic light upgrades.

It was during this pivotal time that the transformative Light Rail Transit System was developed. Operations of the Philippine National Railways and the Metro Manila Transit Corporation were also improved and enhanced.

The early 1980s saw the creation of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the start of operations of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 or LRT-1.

Post-People Power Revolution saw the reorganization and transformation of MoTC to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC). This period allowed for the modernization of old and aging taxi units.

From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, former DoTC heads implemented various transport initiatives such as the ‘yellow lane,’ where the two outermost lanes of roads with 4-6 lanes are reserved for public utility vehicles: development of the railway and maritime transport systems, and revitalization of the DoTC Action Center.

In 2016, the communications portfolio of DoTC was transferred to the Department of Information and Communications Technology. As the Department of Transportation’s headquarters was transferred to Clark, Pampanga, several infrastructure projects were implemented under the Build, Build, Build program of the Duterte administration.

In 2022, DoTr offices eventually returned to Manila and with the ‘full speed ahead’ directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., various transportation projects were launched. These include the North-South Commuter Railway, Metro Manila Subway Project, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Public-Private Partnership Project, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, MRT-7, Public Transport Modernization Program, Philippine Coast Guard Modernization, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, Davao Public Transport Modernization Program, among others.

The agency, now under Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, is gradually transforming the country’s transport sector through big-ticket infrastructures and projects enhancing connectivity and mobility across the archipelago.

The DoTr is building better and more, ushering in an era of modernized and improved transportation systems that will provide comfortable, accessible, safe, sustainable and affordable travel experiences for all.