The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) (Filipino: Kagawaran ng Transportasyon at Komunikasyon) (KTK) is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the maintenance and expansion of viable, efficient, and dependable transportation and communications systems as effective instruments for national recovery and economic progress.

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

History

Beginnings

On July 28, 1979, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) was 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:

• Light Rail Transit System
• Computer-Controlled Traffic Lights System
• Manila International Airport now Ninoy Aquino International Airport
• 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. The operations of both the Philippine National Railways and the Metro Manila Transit Corporation were improved and expanded. A bus leasing program provided an additional 1,000 new buses in Metro Manila. At the same time, the Manila south line of PNR serving the Bicol region was rehabilitated.

On January 22, 2008, DTC celebrated its 109th anniversary.

Post-EDSA 1986

On February 26, 1986, just after the 1986 EDSA Revolution Congressman Hernando B. Perez was appointed Minister of the MOTC 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.

At Present

At present, the DOTC is expected to pursue numerous projects as part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's thrust of improving and expanding the country's infrastructure to promote tourism and investment, as outlined in her 2006 State of the Nation Address.......................................................

Future State of DOTC

Several bills in the Philippine Congress were filed creating a new executive department named Department of Information and Communications Technology. As proposed in the bill, it will inherit the agencies Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Council (ITECC), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Telecommunications Office (TelOf), National Printing Office (NPO), Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), Optical Media Board (OMB), government corporations Philippine Postal Office (PhilPost), National Broadcasting Network (NBN-4), Radio Philippines Network (RPN-9), Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13), Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS-Radyo ng Bayan). Due to the absence of an enabling law, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo created the Commission on Information and Communications Technology absorbing the ITECC, NTC, PhilPOST and TelOf.

Attached Agencies of DOTC

Transportation

• Land Transportation Office (LTO)
• Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)
• Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)
• Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
• Philippine Coast Guard
• Philippine National Railways (PNR)
• Light Rail Transit Authority (LRT)
• Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRT)
• Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA-NAIA)
• Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority
• Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
• Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB)
• Toll Regulatory Board (TRB)

External links

• Department of Transportation and Communications

AUXILIARY GROUP

Assistance and Rescue through Radio communicationsfor Emergency Situations and Traffic (A.R.R.E.S.T.)

References

1. mb.com.ph, Department of Transportation and Communications 109th anniversary