FOR 126 years, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) led in nation building, striving to establish top quality infrastructure that supported the needs, ambitions and aspirations of every Filipino.
The DPWH celebrated its 126th founding anniversary on June 21, 2024, underscoring significant milestones achieved under the Build Better More Program.
This year's theme, "Serbisyong may bilis: Building better more for a new Philippines," emphasized the department's commitment to speed, quality, integrity and efficient use of public funds in infrastructure development.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan praised the department's workforce for maintaining high standards and ensuring each project enhances the nation's welfare.
Bonoan said: "Each project will be a testament to our commitment to serving the Filipino people and to building a nation that is robust, inclusive and ready for the future."
The DPWH earned high trust ratings from Pulse Asia's Ulat ng Bayan Survey and Orange County Transportation Authority Research's Tugon ng Masa Survey, and maintained its ISO 9001:2015 certification, reflecting its dedication to transparency and accountability.
The anniversary celebration included a eucharistic mass, recognition of retirees and loyalty awardees, and awards for outstanding regional and district engineering offices.
The nationwide tree planting event aligned with the Philippine Arbor Day and marked the DPWH's commitment to sustainability.
Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain highlighted the symbolic importance of planting hundreds of native trees in La Mesa Watershed Reservation and 11,000 more nationwide, symbolizing growth and environmental stewardship.
DPWH ensured environmental responsibility through policies such as mandatory environmental impact assessments and a tree replacement program for all infrastructure projects. Additionally, a new policy mandated planting 1,000 trees for flood control projects over P5 million.
Major infrastructure projects
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking and inauguration ceremonies for the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) C5 Link and the Cavitex-Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) Link Project.
Marcos was joined by Bonoan, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. Chairman Manuel Pangilinan and other key officials. The 1.9-kilometer Sucat Interchange segment of the Cavitex C5 Link — now toll free for a month — was inaugurated along with the groundbreaking of the final 2-kilometer Segment 3B, aimed for completion in 2025.
When completed, the P12.65 billion Cavitex C5 Link would be a 7.7-kilometer, six-lane toll road that would decongest traffic in major business districts in Makati and Taguig, extending to Cavite, Parañaque and Las Piñas. The project was expected to reduce travel time from the South Luzon Expressway/C5 to Cavitex from the current 40 minutes to just 10 minutes.
Another high-impact project that broke ground on the same day was the 1.2-kilometer Cavitex-Calax Link Project. This project was designed to decongest traffic in Cavite, specifically along Centennial Road from Gahak to Tirona Highway. The new link would directly connect the coastal expressway and Calax with alignment crossing Tirona Highway at Barangay Binakayan and Daang Bangkal Road at Barangay Marulas in Kawit, and Centennial Road at Barangay Pag-asa 3 in Imus.