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Pan-Philippine Highway shield
Pan-Philippine Highway
  • Maharlika Highway
  • Asian Highway 26
  • Daang Maharlika[1]
Map of the Philippines showing the route of Pan-Philippine Highway
SantoTomasBatangasjf0814 15.JPG
The segment of the highway in Santo Tomas, Batangas
Route information
Maintained by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Length3,379.73 km[2] (2,100.07 mi)
Excludes sea route
Includes 96.98 km (60.26 mi) Tacloban–Ormoc spur and 292.39 km (181.68 mi) Davao–Cagayan de Oro spur
Existed1960s–present
Major junctions
North endLaoag, Philippines
South endZamboanga City, Philippines
Location
CountryPhilippines
Regions
Provinces
Highway system

The Pan-Philippine Highway, also known as the Maharlika Highway (Tagalog: Daang Maharlika; Cebuano: Dalang Halangdon), is a network of roads, expressways, bridges, and ferry services that connect the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao in the Philippines, serving as the country's principal transport backbone. Measuring 3,379.73 kilometers (2,100.07 mi) long excluding sea routes not counted by highway milestones, it is the longest road in the Philippines that forms the country's north–south backbone component of National Route 1 (N1) of the Philippine highway network. The entire highway is designated as Asian Highway 26 (AH26) of the Asian Highway Network.[1][2]

The northern terminus of the highway is in front of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol in Laoag and the southern terminus is at the southern end of N1 near the Zamboanga City Hall in Zamboanga City.[1][3]

History

The Pan-Philippine Highway System was an infrastructure program of President Diosdado Macapagal as a first priority project for the improvement and expansion of Philippine highway and land transport networks. It was stated in his final State of the Nation Address in 1965 that the project requires the concreting of 3,003 kilometers (1,866 mi) from 1965 to 1969, which continued into the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos. This included the construction of 11,333 bridges, comprising the entire system.[4] It is a mixture of old existing roads and new roads that would be eventually added to become part of the highway.[5][6][7] Government planners believed that the motorway and other connected roads would stimulate agricultural production by reducing transport costs, encourage social and economic development outside existing major urban centers such as Manila, and expand industrial production for domestic and overseas markets. Construction, which continued in the following decades, was supported by loans and grants from foreign aid institutions, including the World Bank. In 1979, the highway was renamed to Maharlika Highway.[8]

The highway was rehabilitated and improved in 1997, during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos, with assistance from the Japanese government, and dubbed the "Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway".[9] Japan's assistance is applied only up to Carmen, Davao del Norte at the south, thus covering only about 2,100 kilometers (1,300 mi) or about 62% of the highway's entire length.[10] In 1998, the Department of Tourism designated 35 sections of the highway as "Scenic Highways", with developed amenities for travelers and tourists.

Asian Highway Network

The Pan-Philippine Highway is designated as AH26 in the Asian Highway Network, a cooperative project which seeks to improve highway systems and standards across the continent. Ratified by the Philippines in 2007, it is currently the only highway in the system that is isolated from every other highway; island-based sections of the Asian Highway Network in Japan (AH1), Sri Lanka (AH43) and Indonesia (AH2) are all linked to the mainland sections by ferries to South Korea (AH1), India (Dhanushkodi), and Singapore, respectively. Despite its isolation, it can be linked internationally via ferry routes such as Laoag–China and Zamboanga–Malaysia.[3]

Route description

N1/AH26 reassurance marker in Burgos, Ilocos Norte
E2/AH26 reassurance marker along South Luzon Expressway (Skyway At-Grade), Muntinlupa
J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City with a N1/AH26 reassurance marker

AH26 officially runs along the following thoroughfares:[11][3]

Auxiliary Routes

Roxas Boulevard passing through the capital city of Manila
Sayre Highway in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Alternatively, AH26 runs along the following thoroughfares:[11][3]

Luzon (West Metro Manila)
Luzon (South Skyway)
Visayas
Mindanao

Intersections

Ilocos Norte
Cagayan
Isabela
Nueva Vizcaya
Nueva Ecija
Bulacan
The intersection of Doña Remedios Trinidad Highway (AH26) and Pulilan Regional Road (N115) in Pulilan.
The intersection of Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26), Governor Padilla Street (N116) and General Alejo Santos Highway in Plaridel.
Harbor Link Interchange in Valenzuela
Magallanes Interchange in Makati
Metro Manila
Cavite
Laguna (Biñan–Calamba)
Batangas
Laguna (Alaminos–San Pablo)
The intersection of Maharlika Highway (N1/AH26) and Pagbilao–Padre Burgos Road (N610) in Pagbilao
Quezon
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Albay
Sorsogon
Northern Samar
Samar
Samar–Leyte boundary
The San Juanico Bridge carries the Pan-Philippine Highway between Samar and Leyte
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Surigao del Norte
Agusan del Norte
Agusan del Sur
Davao de Oro
Davao del Norte
N1/AH26 (Pan-Philippine Highway) as J.P. Laurel Avenue crossing the Bajada Flyover, which carries N918 (Buhangin–Lapanday Road), in Davao City
Davao del Sur
South Cotabato
Sultan Kudarat
Maguindanao del Sur
Maguindanao del Norte
Lanao del Sur
Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga Sibugay
Zamboanga City

Auxiliary routes

Pasay Rotonda, an intersection of N1/AH26 (EDSA) and N170 (Taft Avenue) in Pasay
Metro Manila (western route) – part of N1 and N120
Visayas (western route) – part of N70
Mindanao – part of N10 and N9

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Partially signed as AH26
  2. ^ The extent of E2/AH26 in Skyway is unknown since the DPWH's GIS apps does not show any route designation for the tollway. Despite this, some E2/AH26 markers were seen between Buendia, Makati and Alabang, Muntinlupa until they were dismantled together with the center barriers in 2020.
  3. ^ The northern end of the AH26 auxiliary route in Mindanao is at Marcos Bridge in Cagayan de Oro.[3]

Alternative names

Pan-Philippine Highway also has alternative names, especially locally within the poblacion of respective town and cities.

  1. ^ A segment of Manila North Road in Laoag is also known as and a part of Laoag–Paoay Road.
  2. ^ a b A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway in Laoag and Pagadian is locally known as J.P. Rizal Avenue, respectively.
  3. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway stretching north out of Laoag is known as Gen. Fidel V. Segundo Avenue.
  4. ^ a b c d A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway here is locally known as National Highway.
  5. ^ A segment of Bangag-Magapit Road is also known as Logac-Magapit Road in Lal-lo, Cagayan.
  6. ^ The segment of Maharlika Highway from Isabela to Bulacan is also known as Cagayan Valley Road.
  7. ^ Pan-Philippine Highway is also known as Doña Remedios Trinidad Highway from San Rafael to Pulilan in Bulacan, bypassing the respective municipal centers of Baliuag and Bustos.
  8. ^ a b c A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper is locally known as J.P. Rizal Street.
  9. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya is locally known as Aquino Avenue.
  10. ^ a b The segments of Maharlika Highway from Calamba to Tayabas, in Pagbilao, and from Atimonan to Matnog are historically referred to as Manila South Road.[5][12]
  11. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Tiaong, Quezon is locally known as Doña Tating Street and Don V. Robles Street, respectively.
  12. ^ a b c A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper is locally known as Rizal Avenue.
  13. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Sariaya, Quezon is locally known as General Luna Street.
  14. ^ Lucena Diversion Road is also known as MSR Diversion Road.
  15. ^ The segment of Pan-Philippine Highway through the Quezon National Forest Park in Pagbilao and Atimonan, Quezon is also known as New Diversion Road or simply as Diversion Road.
  16. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway from the town proper of Milaor, Camarines Sur to Naga in Camarines Sur is locally known as Mabolo Road.
  17. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Pagbilao, Quezon is locally known as Recto Street.
  18. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Gumaca, Quezon is locally known as A. Bonifacio Street.
  19. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway in Naga, Camarines Sur is locally known as Roxas Avenue or Diversion Road.
  20. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the city proper of Sorsogon City is locally known as Rizal Street and Magsaysay Avenue, respectively
  21. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the city proper of Calbayog, Samar is locally known as Jose D. Avelino Street or Senate President Jose Avelino Avenue.
  22. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the city proper of Catbalogan, Samar is locally known as Del Rosario Street, Curry Avenue, San Roque Street, and Rizal Avenue Extension, respectively.
  23. ^ A segment of Davao-Cotabato Road in the vicinity of Panacan, Davao City is also known as Davao City-Panabo City Road.
  24. ^ The segment of Davao-Cotabato Road from the Davao City proper to Talomo, Davao City partially covers and is also known as A. Pichon Street (a one-way street), Elpidio Quirino Avenue, and McArthur Highway, respectively.
  25. ^ Digos-Makar Road is also known as Davao-GenSan National Highway
  26. ^ A segment of Digos-Makar Road in General Santos is locally known as Jose Catolico Sr. Avenue.
  27. ^ The segment of Marbel-Makar Road from General Santos to Polomolok, South Cotabato is also known as General Santos - Polomolok National Road, GenSan - Polomolok National Road, or Polomolok National Highway.
  28. ^ The segment of Marbel-Makar Road in Polomolok (approaching Tupi, South Cotabato) is also known as Polomolok - Tupi National Highway.
  29. ^ A segment of Marbel-Makar Road in the Koronadal city proper is locally known as Gensan Drive.
  30. ^ Cotabato-Marbel Road is also known as Koronadal City - Cotabato City National Highway.
  31. ^ The segment of Cotabato-Marbel Road from Banga to Surallah, South Cotabato is also known as Banga-Surallah Road.
  32. ^ The segment of Cotabato-Marbel Road from Surallah, South Cotabato to Isulan, Sultan Kudarat is also known as Surallah-Isulan Road, signed under AH26.
  33. ^ A segment of Cotabato-Marbel Road in the Koronadal city proper is locally known as Alunan Avenue.
  34. ^ A segment of Isulan-Surallah Road in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat is locally known as Sen. Ninoy Aquino Avenue.
  35. ^ A segment of Marbel-Allah Valley-Cotabato Road in the city proper of Cotabato City is locally known as Sinsuat Avenue.
  36. ^ A segment of Cotabato–Lanao Road from Cotabato City to Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte is also known as Quezon Avenue.
  37. ^ a b A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway from Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte to Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur is also known as Narciso Ramos Highway.
  38. ^ a b c d The segment of Pan-Philippine Highway from Malabang, Lanao del Sur to Tukuran, Lanao del Sur is also known as Malabang–Tukuran Road.
  39. ^ a b A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway, including Cotabato–Malabang–Lanao del Norte Road, between Tukuran, Lanao del Sur and Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur is also known as Tukuran–Pagadian Highway.
  40. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway between Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga City is also known as Lanao–Pagadian–Zamboanga City Road and Pagadian City–Zamboanga City Road, respectively.
  41. ^ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway in Zamboanga City is locally known as Maria Clara L. Lobregat Highway, Veterans Avenue, Governor Lim Avenue, and Don Pablo Lorenzo Street, respectively.
  42. ^ Mel Lopez Boulevard in Manila is known as Radial Road 10 or R-10 for partially being its component.
  43. ^ Alternative name varies, according to its segments between towns/cities. For example, Palo–Carigara–Ormoc Road is also known as Palo–Santa Fe Road from Palo to Santa Fe, Leyte.
  44. ^ A segment of Palo–Carigara–Ormoc Road at the city proper of Ormoc is locally known as Lilia Avenue, Apo Street, and Real Street, respectively.
  45. ^ a b Sayre Highway from Valencia to Maramag and Bukidnon–Davao Road from Quezon to Kitaotao are also known as Dologon–Busco–Quezon Road.
  46. ^ A segment of Bukidnon–Davao Road in Quezon, Bukidnon is locally known as J. A. Fortich Road.
  47. ^ A segment of Sayre Highway at the city proper of Malaybalay is locally known as Fortich Street.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Department Order No. 15, series of 2009: Installation of Route Markers & Directional Signs along the Asian Highway - Route AH26 (Daang Maharlika)" (PDF). Department of Public Works and Highways. March 22, 2009. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Cabral, Maria Catalina. "Asian Highway 26 (AH26)" (PDF). ESCAP. Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e "ROAD AND BRIDGE INFORMATION APPLICATION". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  4. ^ Macapagal, Diosdado (January 25, 1965). Fourth State of the Nation Address (Speech).
  5. ^ a b Southern Luzon Western Sheet (Map). 1:200000. Washington D.C.: US Geodetic Survey. 1941. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  6. ^ 1944 Army Map Service Road Map of Northern Luzon, Philippines (Map). 1:1000000. Washington D.C.: Army Maps Service, Corps of Engineers. 1944. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  7. ^ 1944 Army Map Service Road Map of the Central and Southern Philippines (Map). 1:1000000. Washington D.C.: Army Maps Service, Corps of Engineers. 1944. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  8. ^ Presidential Proclamation No. 1902, s. 1979 (September 13, 1979), Changing the Name of the Pan-Philippine Highway into the Maharlika Highway, retrieved May 5, 2022
  9. ^ "Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway Rehabilitation Project (I) (II)" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  10. ^ "Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway (Mindanao Section) Rehabilitation Project, Phase I and II" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "What does AH26 road sign mean?". Rappler.com. November 17, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  12. ^ Republic Act No. 917 (June 20, 1953), Philippine Highway Act of 1953, retrieved September 25, 2021

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pan-Philippine Highway.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Asian Highway 26.
Articles related to Pan-Philippine Highway
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