Name: Jowell Leshner C.

Navarro Date: October 27, 2021

Instructor: Larry Esprela Salarza Section: I15.1

HIGHWAY SYSTEM OF THE PHILIPPINES

Introduction

A highway is a public road, especially a major road connecting two or more

destinations. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a
“highway system” a “highway network”, or a “highway transportation system” (Ittefaq,
2019).

The scope of the transportation system has expanded dramatically. The country's
population is growing every day. People's lifestyles began to shift. The demand for faster
travel to other locations grew as well. As a result of the rising demand, new forms of
transportation, such as trains and air travel, have emerged. While the aforesaid
development in the public transportation sector was occurring, private transportation was
developing at a considerably quicker rate, owing to benefits such as accessibility, privacy,
flexibility, convenience, and comfort. This resulted in a rise in vehicle traffic, particularly
in the private transportation network. As a result, the existing road space became
insufficient to meet the increased demand for transportation, and traffic congestion began.
Furthermore, the likelihood of an accident has increased. As a result, there has been a
greater focus on vehicle control in order to make the most efficient use of the
transportation infrastructure. Various traffic management techniques, such as traffic
signals, roundabouts and medians, and vehicle speed limits in specified zones, were
adopted.

Following the World Wars, more and more expenditures were made in the road
sector due to the improvement of better roads and effective control. These were big
projects that required a lot of money. It is necessary to understand the travel pattern and
behavior in order to make the best use of funds. As a result, transportation planning and
demand management have emerged.

Road Classification

A series of Executive Orders, Republic Acts, and/or Presidential Decrees in the

Philippines have established road classification. A variety of legislation governing road
categorization have been enacted in the country. The first thorough reference to a Road
Classification System is found in Republic Act No. 917, known as the Philippine
Highway Act, it also laid down the criteria for classification of national roads and for
conversion from local roads to national roads. This directive classified the roads into
National Primary and National Secondary classes as well as delineated the so-called
"national aid" provincial and city roads of sufficient importance.

The North-South Backbone was the main trunk line that connected key islands
from northern Luzon to southern Mindanao, while the East-West Laterals were the
roadways that ran parallel to the backbone and across the islands. Direct access to
significant centers and places necessary for regional development and emergencies were
among the other Roads of Strategic Importance. National secondary highways
supplemented national arterial roads by providing connection to other significant
population and manufacturing areas.

National Primary

Directly connects Major Cities (at least around 100,000 people) Cities within
Metropolitan Areas are not covered by the criteria

National Secondary
 Except in metropolitan areas, it connects cities directly to national primary roads.
Major Ports and Ferry Terminals, Major Airports, and Tourist Service Centers are all
directly connected to the National Primary Road. It also connects cities (not classified as
major cities), provincial capitals within the same region, and major national government
infrastructure to national primary and secondary roads.

National Tertiary

Other existing roads under DPWH which perform a local function.

Provincial Roads (Local Roads)

Cities and municipalities can be linked without having to travel on national

highways. Connect National Roads to Barangays and Major Provincial Government
Infrastructure through rural areas.

Municipal and City Roads (Local Roads)

These are the streets that run through the Poblacion. Connecting roads to
provincial and national highways. It connects inter-barangay infrastructure to major
municipal and city infrastructure without having to go on provincial roads.

Barangay Roads (Local Roads)

Other Public Roads (officially turned over) within the Barangay and not covered
in the above definitions.

Expressways

Highways with limited access, normally with interchanges; may include facilities
for levying tolls for passage in an open or closed system.

Bypasses

Road or highways that circumvent a built-up area, town, or city proper to allow
through traffic flow without interruption from local traffic, reducing congestion and
improving road safety in an open or closed system, where a toll for passage is paid.
Route Numbering System

Along with a new Functional Classification, a Route Numbering System was

developed that is simple for road users to understand. Road users require route numbering
in order to plan their journey. Road users would also anticipate that all roads of a given
classification and numbering scheme will perform to the same high standard. Road
agencies and other government entities can employ a well-numbered, well-signed, and
well-publicized route system to direct traffic to favored routes or corridors.

The Department of Public Works and Highways introduced RNS in 2014 to

simplify and rationalize navigation along national roads classified as primary, which
directly connects major cities of at least 100,000 people and secondary, or other roads,
which complement national arterial roads to provide access to the country's main
population and production centers by directly connecting cities, major ports, airports, and
ferry terminals, as well as tourist services. The Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) is the government's major department in charge of the country's
engineering and overall design. The objective of the RNS, according to them, is to justify
and simplify highway navigation in some way.

Some people may find it more convenient and accountable to use traditional street
names. There's nothing wrong with that, in fact, it's the accepted practice. However, if the
person traveling is not a local, these will not be considered effective. Let’s take J.P. Rizal
Street as an example, how many streets of the same name have you encountered around
the Philippines? Almost all major road would have a J.P. Rizal Street.

So, this RNS is to somehow give a generic name for the roads. The DPWH has
three classifications for roads in the country, National Primary, National Secondary, and
last but definitely not the least, National Tertiary.

For the numbers you see, the DPWH has its own methodology and patterns. They
don't merely spit out and distribute road numbers; they have a structure and a pattern in
place.

When you see a road and the sign is prefixed with either an N or an E, this simply
means that the N is for National and the E is for Expressway. In addition to that, these
prefixes will come with two digits.
National Primary Roads

Primary Roads are assigned different numbers depending on whether they connect
two cities or form "main" corridors. The numbers N1 to N49 refer to "major" roads or
corridors, such as those that connect three or more cities. The numbers N50 and N99, on
the other hand, are for other major highways that connect two cities. This is strictly a
matter of tradition, but it aids in distinguishing the nature and function of highways.

National Secondary Roads

Unlike primary roads, secondary roads would have three digits. However, these
numbers are not random as well as they have their own designated use and system. The
first digit of the three-digit number simply states the number of the primary road the route
is headed or linked to. That’s the main clue of how you read the numbers.

In the future, it will be essential to add new routes. A new Route Number should
be assigned to any change in classification of a specific road section. New roads will also
require route numbers to be assigned, particularly at the primary and secondary levels.

Because each circumstance must be handled on a case-by-case basis, it is impossible to

design specific protocols for numbering routes. As the network grows, the present route
numbers will change. The reviews must be done on a six-year schedule, and they must be
done holistically, taking into account the complete road network rather than a piecemeal
approach.

Conclusion

Presently thinking about the things discussed, highway system is one of the best
investments of the Philippines ever made. The continuous improvements and connectivity
programs of the country is really helpful and essential towards attaining development and
Globalization. With this road transport is most suited for transporting goods and people
to and from remote places when train, river, and air transportation are not available. Only
road mobility allows items to be exchanged between large cities and small communities.
While by no means unique to the Philippines in concept, the vastness and regional
disparities in the country meant such a system had a uniquely powerful impact. For every
peso spent on the program, it gained and returned at least multiple in economic benefit.
In the context of nations, connectivity is power. Therefore, the reason why the highway
system of the Philippines is the most impactful infrastructure program in the country's
history is simply because, as of now, it is the largest. As long as the government of the
Republic of the Philippines continue to create and establish programs in regards with road
and highways preservation and development, it is much expected that the economy will
have sustainable growth and relationship (the bonds) between cities will fonder.
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