Commonwealth Act No. 548, enacted on May 26, 1940, regulates the use and traffic on designated national roads in the Philippines. It mandates the Director of Public Works to establish rules for safe transit and construction near these roads, which may be temporarily closed for public safety as needed. The Act prohibits the private use or obstruction of national roads and imposes penalties for violations, ranging from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense. Enforcement of these provisions is the responsibility of police officers. The Act takes effect immediately upon its approval.
May 26, 1940
COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 548
AN ACT TO REGULATE AND CONTROL THE USE OF AND TRAFFIC ON NATIONAL ROADS AS WELL AS CONSTRUCTIONS ALONG THE SAME, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF
SECTION 1. To promote safe transit upon, and avoid obstructions on, roads and streets designated as national roads by acts of the National Assembly or by executive orders of the President of the Philippines, the Director of Public Works, with the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and Communications, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to regulate and control the use of and traffic on such roads and streets. Such rules and regulations, with the approval of the President, may contain provisions controlling or regulating the construction of buildings or other structures within a reasonable distance from and along national roads. Such roads may be temporarily closed to any or all classes of traffic by the Director of Public Works or his duly authorized representative whenever the condition of the road or the traffic thereon makes such action necessary or advisable in the public interest, or for a specified period, with the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and Communications.
SECTION 2. It shall be unlawful for any person to convert any part of any national road to his private use or in any manner to obstruct or damage the same or any bridge, culvert, drainage ditch, road sign, or other appurtenance pertaining thereto.
SECTION 3. It shall be the duty of every Constabulary officer and every provincial, city or municipal police officer to enforce the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations issued under the authority of the same.
SECTION 4. Any person found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this Act or the rules and regulations issued thereunder shall be punished, for the first conviction, by a fine of not less than ten nor more than fifty pesos or by imprisonment for not more than three months, or both; for the second conviction, a fine of not less than twenty nor more than one hundred pesos or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both; for any subsequent conviction, a fine of not less than fifty nor more than five hundred pesos or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. AaEcHC
Approved: May 26, 1940