Philippine Highway Act of 1953

"Highway" includes roads, bridges, ferries, drainage, signs, guard rails, and protective structures.
"Division of Highways" refers to the Bureau of Public Works’ highway administration division and its branches.
"Maintenance" means routine repairs preserving smooth roads, excluding extraordinary repairs or reconstruction.
"Construction" entails supervision, inspection, actual building, and associated costs, excluding surveying.
"Reconstruction" is widening or rebuilding roads to meet traffic needs.
"Improvement" involves repairing with superior materials or workmanship beyond ordinary maintenance.
"Local funds" include province, city, and municipal revenues except Highway Special Fund apportionments.
Roads classified as primary, secondary, or feeder based on their function and continuity.
Vehicle-kilometer is a measurement unit representing motor vehicle passage over road sections.
"Right-of-way" refers to land reserved for highway purposes.

Taxes on motor fuel deposited in the Highway Special Fund, used per this Act.
Deductions from the Fund: up to 3% for administration, up to ₱2.5 million and afterward 1% for equipment and machinery, and 6% for emergency contingencies.
Unused contingent funds may be reallocated for road survey and improvement.

Maintenance funds (50% of apportionable sums) released quarterly at minimum ₱5 million or every quarter.
The other 50% allocated for improvement, reconstruction, paving, and construction.
Maintenance fund apportionment formula: municipalities (15%, by population); provinces and cities equally (30%); provinces and cities by road length (40% with adjustments); and motor vehicle registration (15%).
National aid for local roads based on reciprocal shares and maintenance agreements.
Improvement funds distributed by potential development area (60%), vehicle-kilometerage (20%), property assessments (15%), and equal municipality shares (5%).
Secretary of Public Works may provide discretionary funds to provinces or cities with significant temporary bridges.
Provinces and cities must maintain existing roads to qualify for national aid; approval required for "national aid" highways.

Secretary must annually publish maps of approved primary and "national aid" highway systems.

Division of Highways oversees "national aid" highway projects.
Contracts exceeding ₱10,000 to be awarded by public bidding.
Construction must use durable materials appropriate to traffic needs and locality.
Rights of way and minimum widths established by standards.
Engineering costs capped at 10% of construction cost.

Positions compensate from the Highway Special Fund; appointments made based on merit and service length.
Transfers and appointments follow civil service rules.
Personnel policies promote efficiency with in-service training, promotions, and rotation every 2-6 years.

Division of Highways prepares annual budgets approved by Secretary and President.
Maintenance funds released automatically without need for additional budget submissions.
Separate highway equipment account established for purchase and maintenance of machinery and vehicles.
Preference to locally produced materials when quality and cost are comparable.

Secretary to review and classify roads to establish integrated primary and secondary highway systems within one year.
Plans prioritize military highway needs and assure continuity.
Updated system established by Presidential Executive Order.

Secretary to issue necessary rules to implement the Act and ensure highway protection and traffic safety.
Annual report to the President detailing projects, expenditures, personnel, and recommendations.
Special reports as requested by Congress.

Spending from Highway Special Fund prohibited 45 days before elections except for maintenance, awarded contracts, and preparation costs.
Penalties for usurpation of right-of-way, obstruction, or misuse of highway property include fines up to ₱200 or imprisonment up to 3 months.
Offenses affecting highway boundaries or damaging highway facilities penalized under the Revised Penal Code.
Increased penalties apply if obstruction or damage results in accidents.

Repeals inconsistent prior laws such as the Philippine Road Law and related orders.
The Act takes effect upon approval, except key sections related to fund dispositions effective January 1, 1954.