THE ROLE OF DOTC

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is a cabinet-level agency of the federal

government responsible for helping maintain and develop the nation's
transportation systems and infrastructure.
THE FUNCTION OF DOTC
Functions of the Land Transportation Office include the inspection and
registration of motor vehicles, issuance of license and permits, enforcement of
land transportation rules and regulations, adjudication of traffic cases, and the
collection of revenues for the government of the Philippines.
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 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:
1. Light Rail Transit System
2. Computer-Controlled Traffic Lights System
3. Manila International Airport, renamed to Ninoy Aquino International
Airport
4. Central Post Offices in Makati, Caloocan, Quezon City, and San Juan
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 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.
On 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
PHP 3.6T worth of public infrastructure projects being rolled out from 2018 to
2022.
ONGOING PROJECTS
Railways
1. Line 9 (Metro Manila Subway)
The Line 9 or more popularly known as the Metro Manila Subway, originally
named Mega Manila Subway, is an approved underground rapid transit line to be
built initially in Metro Manila in the Philippines. Construction is projected to begin
by 2018, and to finish by 2025.
2. Line 2 East Extension
The Line 2 East Extension Project, is the currently under-construction eastward
extension of Line 2, which adds 4-kilometer (2.5 mi) of new line, starting from the
eastern terminus of Santolan Station in Marikina up to Masinag in Antipolo. The
project aims to accommodate an additional 80,000 passengers and reduce traffic
congestion along Marcos Highway. When the project is completed, it will reduce
travel time from Recto to Masinag from 3 hours to only 40 minutes. It is
scheduled to be finished by 2019
3. PNR North-South Commuter Rail
The North-South Commuter Rail is an under-construction commuter rail from
New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac to Calamba, Laguna. The North Line will have a
length of 106-kilometer, from Tutuban Station in Manila to New Clark City, and is
expected to be completed by 2021. The South Line will be reconstructed as an
electrified standard-gauge full double-track line.
Pre-construction work such as clearing of the right of way had been started in
January 2018. Construction commenced in February 2019.