Amendment to National Road Width in Urban Areas

Highly urbanized areas have significant permanent residential and commercial structures on both sides of roads.
Property owners resisted selling land for road widening due to sentimental value and lack of alternative relocation sites.
Acquisition costs and social impact of enforcing a 20-meter minimum width were considerable.

Engineers concluded that a 15-meter width could be sufficient in urban areas with appropriate road design.
Design adaptations include closed drainage, curbs, and gutters to maintain functionality and safety.
This alternative was more cost-effective than expropriating expensive urban land and demolishing existing structures.

Executive Order No. 113, Section on General Provisions, was amended.
National roads must have a right of way of not less than 20 meters generally.
The Minister of Public Highways may reduce this minimum width to 15 meters within highly urbanized areas at their discretion.
Rights of way of at least 60 meters are mandated for roads through unpatented public lands.
Rights of way of at least 120 meters are required for roads through naturally forested areas of aesthetic or scientific value.

The amendment took immediate effect upon issuance.
The order was signed by the President and the Presidential Assistant on September 18, 1980, in Manila.

The amendment balances infrastructure needs with social considerations in dense urban settings.
It establishes flexible standards to minimize displacement of residents while ensuring road functionality.
Emphasizes a practical approach to road classification and right-of-way widths tailored to geographical and social realities.