History of Civil Engineering in the Philippines PDF

**MODULE 2** **HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES** **Maestro de Obras (Master Builders)** - During Spanish colonial rule (over 350 years), Filipinos were not officially recognized as civil engineers, but they were referred to as Maestro de Obras (Master Builders), equivale...

**MODULE 2** **HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES** **Maestro de Obras (Master Builders)** - During Spanish colonial rule (over 350 years), Filipinos were not officially recognized as civil engineers, but they were referred to as Maestro de Obras (Master Builders), equivalent to modern-day construction foremen. - Despite their ability to design and build various structures, social prejudice prevented them from holding formal engineering titles. **Lack of Formal Civil Engineering Education** - Civil engineering during the Spanish period was not an academic profession for Filipinos. - Only Spanish engineers and architects had formal education, while Filipino builders primarily worked on projects like churches, convents, and government buildings. **Intramuros as a Model Community (1571)** - The Spaniards established the walled city of Intramuros as a model European-style community. - Spanish friar-architects/engineers were responsible for constructing government buildings, bridges, and other public structures. **Important Structures and Dates:** - **Fort Santiago (1571): Built shortly after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi founded Manila on June 24, 1571. This fort was vital for defense and later became an infamous prison, notably holding national hero José Rizal before his execution.** - **Fort San Antonio Abad (1584): A strategic fort that was captured by the British in 1762, rebuilt in the 19th century, and used as a powder magazine.** - **St. Augustine Church (1599-1607): The oldest stone church in the Philippines. Despite numerous earthquakes, it remains standing to this day.** - **San Sebastian Church (1888): The first and only all-steel church in Asia, designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). The steel parts were manufactured in Brussels, Belgium.** - **Puente Grande (1632): The first bridge across the Pasig River, later renamed Puente de España after several reconstructions. It was eventually replaced by the neoclassical Jones Bridge in the 1930s.** - **Betis Artesian Wells (1686): The first wells built in Betis, Pampanga by Fr. Manuel Camanes. Fr. Juan Peguero constructed the first water system in Manila in the same year.** - **Pasig River Lighthouse (1846): The first masonry-built lighthouse in the Philippines, marking the entrance to Manila's ports. It was replaced in 1992, and the area is now called Parola.** **Puente Colgante (1852):** - **The first suspension bridge in Southeast Asia, connecting Quiapo to Intramuros. Designed by Basque engineer Matias Menchacatorre, it allowed pedestrians and vehicles to cross the Pasig River.** - **The bridge was a precursor to modern toll bridges.** **Carriedo Waterworks (1878-1918):** - Manila received its first running water system, funded by the legacy of Don Francisco Carriedo y Peredo, a Basque philanthropist. The water system was established during the term of Governor Domingo Moriones. - Manila did not have running water until 1878, when **Governor Domingo Moriones** established the municipal waterworks. - The project was funded by the **Carriedo Legacy**, left by **Don Francisco Carriedo y Peredo**, a Basque philanthropist who had migrated to the Philippines in the early 18th century. - Carriedo died in 1743, but his legacy was finally realized over a century later, providing clean water to Manila. **Bureau of Public Works and Highways (1868)** - The Bureau of Public Works and Highways and Bureau of Communications and Transportation were formally organized under a civil engineer known as the Director General. This helped regulate infrastructure projects across the Philippines. **Royal Decree on Railroads (1875)** - On June 25, 1875, **King Alfonso XII of Spain** issued a Royal Decree ordering the Office of the Inspector of Public Works to submit a general plan for a railroad system in Luzon. - The General Plan was drawn up in 1876, envisioning a network of **1,730 kilometers**. **Manila-Dagupan Railway (1876--1892)** - Construction of the **Manila-Dagupan Railway** began in 1887, with a total track length of **195.4 kilometers**. - The railway was completed on November 24, 1892, improving transportation between Manila and Dagupan. - Notable engineering feats included the **bridge over Pampanga River** and **Tutuban Station** in Tondo, Manila. **Manila Tramways (1878)** - In 1878, a concession for building five tramways in **Manila** and its suburbs was approved. - The tramways network was designed to ease transportation across the city, with a main station at **San Gabriel**. **Escuela Práctica y Artes Oficios de Manila (1880)** - Founded in 1880, the school trained Filipino **Maestros de Obras** (Master Builders). Notable graduates included: - **Julio Hernandez** (1891) - **Isidro Medina** (1894) - **Arcadio Arellano** (1894) - **Juan Carreon** (1896) **Ayala Bridge (1880)** - The **Puente de Convalecencia**, better known as **Ayala Bridge**, was completed in 1880. - Originally made of wooden arched trusses, it connected the Isla de Convalecencia (home to **Hospicio de San Jose**, an orphanage) to other parts of the city. **Spanish Colonial Roadworks (18th-19th Centuries)** - Two primary types of road construction: - **Adobe stone pavement**: Smooth and visually appealing but wore down quickly under heavy traffic. - **Rubble-stone pavement (cobblestones)**: Made of durable boulders, ideal for low-traffic areas. - These road systems laid the groundwork for modern infrastructure. **Department of War and Public Works (1898)** - Created under the **Philippine Revolutionary Government** led by **General Emilio Aguinaldo**. - The department managed the construction of fortifications, trenches, roads, and bridges essential to the revolution against Spanish rule. **Malolos Constitution (1899)** - **Maximo Paterno** was appointed Secretary of Public Works under the **Philippine Revolutionary Government**. - The **Communicaciones y Obras Públicas** (Communications and Public Works Department) was created to handle public infrastructure. **American Colonial Period (Early 1900s)** - Under American rule, road and transportation development advanced significantly. - The **Macadam Road type** was introduced, gaining popularity due to the availability of stones and gravel. - **US military engineers**, **Thomasite teachers**, and other professionals helped modernize the country's infrastructure, including highways, schools, and hospitals. **Act No. 83 (1901)** - Passed by the **Philippine Commission** on February 6, 1901, placing public works under \"Provincial Supervisions.\" - The **1901 Municipal Code** allowed elected municipal board members to manage local taxes, municipal properties, and construction projects. **Academia de Arquitectura y Agrimensura de Filipinas (AAAF) (1902)** - The first professional association for architects and surveyors, established on September 14, 1902. - **Philippine Bill of 1902** (July 1, 1902) authorized improvements in commerce, including harbors, warehouses, and lighthouses. - The **Manila Railroad Company (MRRCo)** was granted the right to construct branch lines by **Philippine Commission Act No. 554** on December 8, 1902. **Academia Expansion (1903)** - The AAAF expanded its scope to include civil engineers and surveyors, renaming itself **Academia de Arquitectura, Ingeniera y Agrimensura de Filipinas (AIAAF)**. **Establishment of Escuela de Ingeniera y Arquitectura (1904)** - Formed through the merger of the AIAAF and **Liceo**, offering a five-year course in architecture and civil engineering. - The **Escuela** ceased operations after one year but reopened in 1908 with a three-year course in architecture, civil engineering, and electrical engineering. **Bureau of Public Works Creation (1905)** - Established under the **Department of Commerce and Police** on October 26, 1905. - **Act No. 1401** of the Philippine Commission (October 4, 1905) abolished engineering districts and district engineers. **Provincial Road Development (1907)** - Provincial boards were created with the authority to collect double cedula taxes for road and bridge construction. - The national government allocated **P1,700,000** for this purpose. **University of Santo Tomas College of Engineering (UST-COE) (1907)** - The oldest engineering school in the Philippines, established on May 18, 1907. - Headed by **Don Ramon Irureta-Goyena**, patterned after the **University of Havana** in Cuba. - The first graduates received their degrees in 1912. **Wawa Dam (Montalban Dam) Construction (1909)** - Built over the **Marikina River** in Rizal Province during the American colonial era to supply water to Manila. - Wawa Dam served Manila\'s water needs until the construction of **Angat Dam**. **University of the Philippines College of Engineering (1910)** - Created by a resolution on June 3, 1910, with **W.J. Colbert** appointed as its first Dean. - Offered a four-year Bachelor of Science program with an additional year for a Civil Engineering degree. **Dissolution of AIAAF (1911)** - Civil engineers withdrew to form the **Philippine Society of Engineers** after advocating for an Engineers and Architects Law. **Irrigation Act (1912)** - Established the **Irrigation Division** under the Bureau of Public Works. - Regulated water rights, the construction of irrigation systems, and secured payments for irrigation services. **Communal Irrigation Systems (1914)** - Early communal systems, known as **zanjera**, were constructed in **Ilocos**, utilizing bamboo and rock diversion structures known as \"brush dams.\" **Secretary Dionisio Jakosalem (1917--1922)** - Appointed Secretary of Commerce and Communication by **Gov. Gen. Francis B. Harrison**. - Credited for building roads linking northern and southern Cebu. **Metropolitan Water District Formation (1919--1954)** - Established to manage Metro Manila's water supply. **Engineers and Architects Law (Act No. 2985) (1921)** - Passed on February 23, 1921, creating separate boards for architecture and civil engineering. - Empowered Filipinos, previously trained as **Maestro de Obras**, to practice as licensed architects and engineers. **Philippine Society of Civil Engineers (PSCE) Formation (1928)** - Founded by government engineers, led by **Engr. Marcial Kasilag**, who received PRC Registration No. 1 for civil engineers. **Puente Colgante Bridge**: - Replaced by a modern steel arch bridge in the early 1930s. - Renamed **Quezon Bridge** after **Manuel L. Quezon**, the president of the Philippines at that time. **1931**: - The **Department of Commerce and Communications** was renamed as the **Department of Public Works and Communications (DPWC)**. **1935**: - **Act No. 4211** passed on August 2, allowing under-aged individuals to take board exams with the condition they can only practice once they reach 21. - During the inauguration of the Commonwealth Government on November 15, DPWC was reorganized to include several bureaus such as the **Bureau of Public Works**, **Ports**, and **Aeronautics**, among others. **1937**: - Formation of the **Philippine Association of Civil Engineers (PACE)**. - **Engr. Enrique Sto. Tomas Cortes** became its first president. - PACE\'s objectives included elevating the standards of the profession, encouraging research, and fostering fellowship among engineers. **1938**: - The **National Assembly Bill No. 1850** was passed, legally separating the practice of architecture from engineering. - On May 8, the unified **railroad system** from **San Fernando, La Union** in the north to **Legazpi** in the south was inaugurated. **1940**: - **Highway 54**, now known as **Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA)**, was constructed by engineers **Florencio Moreno** and **Osmundo Monsod**. It was originally named the **North and South Circumferential Road** and later renamed to **Highway 54** during the American occupation. **1941**: - Outbreak of **World War II** interrupted government operations, and the **Department of Public Works and Communications** was effectively abolished due to the war. - During the Japanese occupation, the **Department of Public Works and Communication** was reorganized into the **Department of National Defense, Public Works, Communications, and Labor** under **Basilio Valdes**. **1942**: - Construction of **Caliraya Dam** in **Lumban, Laguna** began in 1939 and became operational in 1942. Initially built for hydroelectric power, it later became a recreational site. - **Quintin Paredes** served as Minister of Public Works and Communications under **President Jose P. Laurel** during the Japanese occupation. **1945**: - After WWII, the Philippine government was reorganized, and the **Department of Public Works and Communications** was reestablished by **Executive Order No. 27** on February 27. **1946**: - **DPWC** resumed its operations post-war with limited resources and began the rehabilitation of infrastructure, with funding from Japanese war reparations and U.S. financial aid. **1947**: - The **Motor Vehicles Office** was placed under the direct supervision of the DPWC, expanding its authority. **1948**: - **Manila International Airport** was turned over to the Philippine government and managed by the **National Airport Corporation**. It started with minimal infrastructure, including only a small terminal building. **1950**: - **RA 544** and **RA 545** were passed, establishing laws for civil engineering and architecture, respectively. - **Engr. Alberto Guevarra**, President of PACE, played a key role in passing RA 544, the Civil Engineering Law. **1951**: - President **Elpidio Quirino** issued **Executive Order No. 392**, reorganizing the DPWC to include the **Bureau of Public Works**, **Motor Vehicles Office**, and the **Flood Control Commission**, among others. **1953**: - The **Philippine Highway Act (RA 917)** provided effective highway administration, giving aid to provinces and cities for improving roads and bridges. **1954**: - The **Bureau of Public Highways** was created under **Republic Act No. 1192**, providing effective management of the Philippine highways. **1956**: - The **Civil Engineering Law (RA 1582)** and the **Architecture Law (RA 1581)** were further amended. **1960s - Migration of Filipino Architects and Engineers** - Filipino architects and engineers began migrating to the U.S. and Europe due to a shortage of local projects. - Skilled in English, these professionals were in demand for their ability to communicate and their affordable labor costs. **North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)** - Formerly known as the North Diversion Road and Manila North Expressway. - Built in the 1960s, connecting Metro Manila to Central Luzon. - Total length: 84 km, managed by Tollways Management Corporation. **1960 - Adoption of SI Units** - The International Bureau of Weights and Measures introduced the \"Systeme Internationale d\' Unites\" (SI). - The Philippines adopted this system, along with most of the world except the U.S., Liberia, and Brunei. **1961 - Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP)** - Founded on September 30, 1961, marking a significant development in the professional organization of structural engineers in the country. **1961-1967 - Angat Dam** - Construction began in November 1961 and was completed on October 16, 1967. - Located in Norzagaray, Bulacan, the dam stands 131 meters high with a capacity of 850 million cubic meters. **1963 - Creation of National Irrigation Administration (NIA)** - Established under Republic Act No. 3601, signed on June 22, 1963 by President Diosdado Macapagal. **1970s - Martial Law and Construction Industry** - Martial Law (declared in 1972) saw growth in the Middle East construction industry, leading to high demand for Filipino civil engineers and architects. **1971 - Establishment of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)** - Republic Act 6234 created the MWSS, replacing NAWASA, with the mandate to provide adequate water and sewerage systems. **1973 - Creation of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)** - PRC was established under Presidential Decree 223 to regulate all professions, accrediting one organization per profession. - Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) was formed by merging the Philippine Society of Civil Engineers (PSCE) and the Philippine Association of Civil Engineers (PACE). **1975 - First PICE International Convention** - Held in the Philippines from May 20 to 24, with the theme \"Civil Engineering in Disaster Prevention and Control.\" **1977 - National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP)** - Presidential Decree No. 1096 was signed into law on February 19, 1977, laying down standards for the construction industry. **1981 - Merger of Ministries** - The Ministry of Public Works and Highways (MPWH) was formed by merging the Ministry of Public Works and Ministry of Highways. **1982 - Completion of Magat Dam** - Located on the Magat River, it is one of the largest dams in the Philippines, providing irrigation and hydroelectric power. **1991 - Civil Engineering Week** - Proclamation No. 799 declared November 3-9, 1991 as Civil Engineering Week by President Corazon C. Aquino. **1993 - First Computerized Board Examinations** - The Board of Civil Engineering at PRC held fully computerized exams for the first time on May 29, 1993. **1995 - Syllabi for Civil Engineering Board Exams** - On February 28, 1995, the syllabi for licensure examination subjects were formalized. **2005 - Petition for Declaratory Relief (PICE vs. Revised IRR of National Building Code)** - The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) and Engr. Leo Cleto Gamolo filed a petition on May 3, 2005. - Petition aimed to declare null and void Sections 302.3 and 302.4 of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of **Presidential Decree No. 1096**, the **National Building Code of the Philippines**. - These sections required that architectural documents for building permits be prepared, signed, and sealed only by architects. - PICE argued that this was contrary to the **Civil Engineering Law (Republic Act No. 544)**, which they claimed allowed civil engineers to prepare and sign architectural documents. **2006 - Changes in CE Board Exam Results and Regulation of Review Centers** - Starting in **November 2006**, the **Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)** only released the Top 10 performers in the Civil Engineering Board Exam, discontinuing the rankings from 11th to 20th place. - **Executive Order No. 566**, issued by **President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo** on **September 8, 2006**, tasked the **Commission on Higher Education (CHED)** with regulating the establishment and operation of review centers. **2012 - Increased CE Board Exam Questions** - In **March 2012**, the **Board of Civil Engineering** informed the **Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE)** that the number of questions per subject in the Civil Engineering Board Exam would increase from 30-35 to 100. - This change was effective starting the **May 2012 CE Board Exam**, resulting in a total of 300 questions. **2013 - Republic Act No. 10609 (Protection of Students\' Right to Enroll in Review Centers Act of 2013)** - **Republic Act No. 10609**, also known as the **Protection of Students\' Right to Enroll in Review Centers Act of 2013**, was signed into law on **August 23, 2013**. - This law protected students from being forced to enroll in specific review centers by educational institutions or individuals.