Early Road Transportation System
While the 1800s saw the era on inventions and introduction of motorized carriage and locomotives, carabao and horse-drawn calesa was then the main road transportation mode in the Philippines. During the American occupation, The first law that was passed on September 1900 by the Taft Commission after the issuance of the ‘Magna Carta of the Philippines’ was an act a
ppropriating P2,000,000 for the construction and repair of roads and bridges which marked subsequent improvements on road safety services. This was similarly seen as an anticipation of imminent changes of transportation system in the country in the advent of gasoline operated automobiles. The Advent of Traffic Enforcement
The following year, on July 31, 1901 the Taft commission enacted Act No. 183, chartering the City of Manila. The existing Metropolitan Police Force, then manned by American soldiers, was reorganized as one of the departments of the city and was called Manila Police Department (MPD) having exclusive jurisdiction in the city and its suburbs up to 5 miles from its boundaries and up to 3 miles from its shores in the Manila Bay. A Manila traffic cop, sporting the London Bobby style of helmet while directing traffic along Escolta (January 9, 2001: Manila’s Finest Centennial Book)
Months later, on August 8, 1901, the Taft Commission also established the Philippine Constabulary (PC) - patterned after the National Guard in the U.S. By 1907, as more local autonomy was ushered in by the Americans, more Filipinos were recruited into the ranks of the MPD and PC. In 1917, Brigadier General Rafael Crame was installed as the First Filipino Chief of PC. In 1922, police call and fire alarm boxes were installed and modern forensic techniques as a means of criminal investigation was introduced. Members of the Manila Police Department with Capt. Columbus Piatt (encircled)
(January 9, 2001: Manila’s Finest Centennial Book)
It was also during this time that Manila organized the first Traffic Management Unit with Capt. Columbus Piatt as the city’s and the country’s first traffic czar. A Manila traffic cop and automated traffic lights introduced by Chief Piatt in the 30s. (January 9, 2001: Manila’s Finest Centennial Book)
Philippine Constabulary members during the Commonwealth era
(Konstable: The Story of the Philippine Constabulary)
In 1936, The Philippine Constabulary (PC) became the nucleus of the first regular division of the Commonwealth's army in 1936. Its functions in maintaining peace and order in the countryside remains. Also on March 2, 1936, Col. Antonio C. Torres, the first Filipino Chief of Police of MPD was installed. He established the first pedestrian lanes and traffic control towers. On November 4, 1954, Congressmen Gregorio Tan and Lorenzo Ziga were killed in a highway tragedy. There being no unit at that time which handles promotion of safety along the highways, members of the two houses passed a resolution for the creation of a Police Unit that shall ensure safety along the Highways. The house resolution was sent into motion through General Orders No 535, GHQ, AFP dated December 6, 1954 activating the TRAFFIC CONTROL GROUP under the umbrella of the Philippine Constabulary. Its concern was strengthened through the force and effect of Executive Order No 209 dated December 22, 1954 issued by President Ramon Magsaysay defining the power, duties and responsibilities of the Traffic Control Group (TRAFCON) “to include but is not limited to the enforcement of traffic safety laws, rules and regulations, general supervision of local police forces as to Land Transportation (now LTO) in the enforcement of driver’s license and motor vehicle registration requirements and regulations of motor vehicle public carries.”
Promotion of Traffic Safety along the Highways was the unit’s mission while traffic supervision and control in the implementation of Commonwealth Act No. 3992 was the organization’s essential function. The unit hit the highways with only 12 McArthur type jeeps, 12 Officers and 41 Enlisted Personnel mostly coming from the 10th BCT. In three years time, it expanded its operational jurisdiction into eight (8) Traffic Districts nationwide with the acquisition of 32 units of Ford Fairlane and the conduct of in-service training of new members/recruits. On December 1957, the TRAFCON was reorganized and was further expanded to 27 Traffic Districts and 5 Special Traffic Teams in Manila by virtue of GO #262, HPC dated December 27, 1957. During this time, an effective communications network and equipment for the use of the unit was also set into motion. Due to its growing commanding presence and credibility in the highways, the said unit was engaged to manage a major traffic direction and control during the holding of the 10th World Boys Scouts Jamboree in Mt Makiling on July 17 – 26, 1959. A year thereafter, the Group expanded its effectiveness through the procurement of eight (8) R-69 BMW and the formation of a Motorcycle Unit. This was the time where the distinctive boots, breeches, Sam brown belt and crash helmets emerged on the highways and became the distinguishing mark of the Highway Patrol Group. Several important changes in the TRAFCON’s function likewise occurred from 1961 to 1967 such as:
1. Its active participation with the operations of the Bureau of Customs against “Hot Cars”.
2. The establishment of the Safety Education Branch to educate erring motorists.
3. Its new role in enforcing Republic Act 4136 otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. The enactment of RA 4136 on June 20, 1964 created the Land Transportation Commission. This law likewise partially repealed Commonwealth Act 3992. Salient provisions of RA 4136, among others, prescribed the authority of the Commissioner of the Land Transportation and his deputies “to make arrests for violations of the provisions of this Act in so far as motor vehicles are concerned”. On the other hand, not only that the same authority was extended to the Philippine Constabulary, (now Philippine National Police or PNP) and municipal police forces, but the prime responsibility and duty to enforce it and carry out the police provisions indicated therein within their respective jurisdiction. In 1968, the delineation of traffic law enforcement was highlighted when the enforcement of RA 4136 and Public Service Law (CA 146) along the National Highway was transferred and was expressly made the responsibility of the TRAFCON by virtue of a Memorandum dated July 13, 1968 issued by President Marcos. In 1970, the Task Force ANCAR was created through Memorandum Circular #346 dated April 22, 1970 with the present TRAFCON Commander as the Task Group Commander. The significance of the said event lies in the fact that the two units later evolved as the TRAFFIC CONTROL AND ANTI-CARNAPPING GROUP (TRAG) when the TRAFCON was reconstituted in 1971 by virtue of GO #356, GHO, AFP dated February 17, 1971. The personnel requirements were increased to 37 Officers and 419 enlisted personnel and the 27 Traffic District units were reorganized into 4 TRAG district in the provinces corresponding to the 4 PC Zone Commands. TRAFCON members, predecessors of the Constabulary Highway Patrol Group or CHPG
(Konstable: The Story of the Philippine Constabulary)
Later in July 1972, the TRAG was renamed as CONSTABULARY HIGHWAY PATROL GROUP by virtue of GO #315, HPC dated 15 June 1972. The CHPG’s Mission was expanded from promotion of traffic safety to include the conduct of operations against carnapping, hijacking, hold-ups and assistance in suppression and investigation of other crimes committed along the highways involving the use of motor vehicles. Meanwhile at the local level, the law enforcement functions of territorial police forces remain with the establishment of Traffic Bureaus and units actively implementing RA 4136 within their respective jurisdictions. At the onset of the declaration of Martial Law, the CHPG assumed an even bigger role when the President designated the CHPG Commander as his personal representative and Military supervisor in the traffic and transport management in BOT, LTC, City Offices and City district engineers and Municipal Mayors. Additionally, the implementation of LOI #43 and DND Orders No 728 for the removal of traffic hazards and promotion of safety along the highways, and regulation on the use of tinted glasses and blinds on motor vehicle windows was also tasked to the CHPG. On the following year, the implementation of PD 96 and PD 101 was also added to its function. From 1973 to 1979, the CHPG assumed various special functions that included implementation of at least 30 traffic related special laws, to include pollution control and related environmental laws. On November 7, 1975, President Marcos issued PD 824 creating Metro Manila Commission (MMC) integrating the cities of Manila, Quezon, Pasay and Caloocan and the municipalities of Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Navotas, Pasig, Pateros, Parañaque, Marikina, Muntinlupa, and Taguig in the province of Rizal; and the municipality of Valenzuela, in the province of Bulacan. Among other functions, the MMA was given the authority “to establish and operate a transport and traffic center, which shall direct traffic activities”. An improved setup occurred when on January 9, 1990, President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 392, in accordance to Article 18, Section 8 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, creating Metro Manila Authority (MMA) composed of the heads of the cities and municipalities of Metro Manila and was given the jurisdiction over the delivery of basic urban services requiri
