Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 199)
The primary purpose is to create two separate ministries—the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications—to enhance the efficiency of government by unifying implementation of public works projects and controlling transportation and communications facilities and services.
The Ministry of Public Works is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and repair of portworks, harbor facilities, lighthouses, navigational aids, shore protection works, airport buildings, public buildings, school buildings, monuments, harbor and river dredging, reclamation, water supply, flood control, and drainage works.
The Ministry of Public Works is headed by the Minister of Public Works assisted by one career Deputy Minister unless otherwise determined by the President.
The key bureaus are the Bureau of Buildings, Bureau of Ports, Harbors and Reclamation, Bureau of Water Supply, and Bureau of Flood Control and Drainage.
The objectives include promoting a dependable and coordinated transportation and communication network, guiding government and private investments, regulating technical and economic conditions for viability, providing telecommunications and postal services, and fostering telecommunications industry development.
The National Telecommunications Commission exercises regulatory functions such as issuing certificates of public convenience, regulating telecommunication operators, granting permits for radio frequencies, setting rules and standards, supervising radio stations, and performing licensing and inspection duties.
It consists of the ministry proper with immediate Office of the Minister, Administrative Service, Financial and Management Service, Planning Service; four bureaus—Bureau of Land Transportation, Bureau of Air Transportation, Bureau of Telecommunications, and Bureau of Posts; and the National Telecommunications Commission.
The Ministry proper of the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications, the Bureau of Public Works, the Bureau of Transportation (not implemented), the Board of Communications, the Telecommunications Control Bureau, and the common technical staff of the Specialized Regulatory Boards were abolished or had functions transferred.
The Communications and Electricity Development Authority, Philippine Ports Authority, Central Luzon-Cagayan Valley Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Farm Systems Development Corporation, Local Water Utilities Administration, and Metropolitan Manila Flood Control and Drainage Council are attached to the Ministry of Public Works.
They shall respectively assume the positions of Chairman or member of all bodies and agencies previously occupied ex-officio by the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Communications. Any conflict on the membership shall be decided by the President.
Telecommunication stations owned and operated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines are exempt from the provisions of EO No. 546 except that they must use frequencies assigned by the Commission.
EO No. 546 took effect immediately upon its signing on July 23, 1979.