Pan-Philippine Highway

Pan-Philippine Highway shield
Pan-Philippine Highway
  • Maharlika Highway
  • Asian Highway 26
  • Daang Maharlika
Map of the Philippines showing the route of Pan-Philippine Highway
National Road, Daraga Cagsawa, AH26 sign (Daraga, Albay; 04-19-2023).jpg
The highway segment in Daraga, Albay, with an AH26 route marker (right), overlooking Mayon Volcano in the background
Route information
Maintained by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Length3,379.73 km (2,100.07 mi)
Excludes sea routes
Includes the 96.98 km (60.26 mi) Tacloban–Ormoc spur and the 292.39 km (181.68 mi) Davao City–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 connecting 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) in length, excluding sea routes not counted by highway milestones, it is the longest road in the Philippines and forms the 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.

The highway's northern terminus is located in front of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol in Laoag, while its southern terminus is near the Zamboanga City Hall in Zamboanga City.

History

The Pan-Philippine Highway System was an infrastructure program of President Ferdinand Marcos as a first priority project for the improvement and expansion of Philippine highway and land transport networks. The project required the concreting of 3,003 kilometers (1,866 mi) from 1965 to 1969. This included the construction of 11,333 bridges, comprising the entire system. It is a mixture of old existing roads and new roads that would be eventually added to become part of the highway. 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.

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". 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. In 1998, the Department of Tourism designated 35 sections of the highway as "Scenic Highways", with developed amenities for travelers and tourists. The highway was later realigned from the Digos–Maguindanao section of the Davao–Cotabato Road to traverse General Santos at the south.

The highway was officially designated as Asian Highway 26 (AH26), following the Philippines' 2007 ratification of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on the Asian Highway Network. In response, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) issued Department Order No. 15, initiating a two-phase project from 2009 to 2010 to install AH26 route markers and directional signs. The Pan-Philippine Highway originally encompassed untolled sections between Guiguinto, Bulacan, and Calamba, Laguna, but its alignment was later shifted to utilize the North and South Luzon Expressways, as well as EDSA. Auxiliary routes in Metro Manila, Leyte, and Mindanao were later added. In the mid-2020s, alongside N1, the highway was realigned from the Simuay–Landasan–Parang Road (now N937) to a bypass road also traversing between Parang and Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao del Norte.

Proposed rehabilitation

In 2026, the DPWH announced a massive, full-scale rehabilitation of the Pan-Philippine Highway that is slated to start with a bidding around April. This initiative marks the first comprehensive overhaul of the highway since its completion in the late 1970s. According to Secretary Vince Dizon, the project would prioritize the highway's segments in Quezon, Bicol Region, Samar, and parts of Mindanao.

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 like the Zamboanga–Malaysia route.

Route description

N1/AH26 reassurance marker in Burgos, Ilocos Norte
E2/AH26 reassurance marker along South Luzon Expressway (Skyway At-Grade) in Muntinlupa
J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City, featuring an N1/AH26 reassurance marker in 2021. This segment was reclassified to N916-5 in the mid-2020s, though it remains part of the Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26).

AH26 officially runs along the following thoroughfares:

Auxiliary Routes

Roxas Boulevard (N120/AH26) passing through the capital city of Manila
Sayre Highway (N10/AH26) in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Alternatively, AH26 runs along the following thoroughfares:

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)
Pan-Philippine Highway (N1/AH26) crossing beneath the STAR Tollway (E2) at Santo Tomas Interchange, Santo Tomas, Batangas
Batangas
Laguna (Alaminos–San Pablo)
The intersection of Lucena Diversion Road (N1/AH26) and Tayabas–Lucena Road (N603) in Lucena, Quezon
The intersection of Maharlika Highway (N1/AH26) and Pagbilao–Padre Burgos Road (N610) in Pagbilao, Quezon
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 islands
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Surigao del Norte
Agusan del Norte
Agusan del Sur
Davao de Oro
Davao del Norte
Buhangin Underpass along Carlos P. Garcia National Highway (N1/AH26) at its intersection with Buhangin–Lapanday Road (N918) in Davao City
Davao del Sur
South Cotabato
Sultan Kudarat
Maguindanao del Sur
Maguindanao del Norte
Lanao del Sur
Aerial view of AH26 towards its southern terminus in Zamboanga City
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

As the primary transport backbone of the Philippines, the highway is frequently featured in local media, often as a symbol of the "long journey" or national connection.

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 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. 1 2 The northern ends of the AH26 auxiliary route in Mindanao are at Port of Cagayan de Oro and Marcos Bridge, both in Cagayan de Oro.

Alternative names

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

  1. ↑ Also tautologically referred to as Daang Maharlika Road.
  2. ↑ A segment of Manila North Road in Laoag is also known as and a part of Laoag–Paoay Road.
  3. 1 2 A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway in Laoag and Pagadian is locally known as J.P. Rizal Avenue, respectively.
  4. ↑ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway stretching north out of Laoag is known as Gen. Fidel V. Segundo Avenue.
  5. 1 2 3 4 A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway here is locally known as National Highway.
  6. ↑ A segment of Bangag-Magapit Road is also known as Logac-Magapit Road in Lal-lo, Cagayan.
  7. ↑ The segment of Maharlika Highway from Isabela to Bulacan is also known as Cagayan Valley Road.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. 1 2 3 A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper is locally known as J.P. Rizal Street.
  10. ↑ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya is locally known as J. Manzano Street and Aquino Avenue, respectively.
  11. ↑ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway from Plaridel to Guiguinto in Bulacan is also known as Calle Rizal.
  12. 1 2 The segments of Maharlika Highway from Calamba to Tayabas, in Pagbilao, and from Atimonan to Matnog are historically referred to as Manila South Road.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. 1 2 3 A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper is locally known as Rizal Avenue.
  15. ↑ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Sariaya, Quezon is locally known as General Luna Street.
  16. ↑ Lucena Diversion Road is also known as MSR Diversion Road.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ 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.
  19. ↑ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Pagbilao, Quezon is locally known as C.M. Recto Street and Pornobi Street, respectively, and collectively known as the MSR Diversion Road.
  20. ↑ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Gumaca, Quezon is locally known as A. Bonifacio Street.
  21. ↑ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Lopez, Quezon is locally known as General Vera Avenue.
  22. ↑ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway in Naga, Camarines Sur is locally known as Roxas Avenue or Diversion Road.
  23. ↑ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the city proper of Sorsogon City is locally known as Rizal Street and Magsaysay Street, respectively
  24. 1 2 The segment of Pan-Philippine Highway from Tacloban to Baybay is also known as Tacloban–Baybay South Road.
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ 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.
  27. 1 2 A segment of Davao-Cotabato Road in the vicinity of Panacan, Davao City is also known as Davao City-Panabo City Road.
  28. ↑ 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 MacArthur Highway, respectively.
  29. ↑ Digos-Makar Road is also known as Davao-GenSan National Highway or Davao–GenSan Highway
  30. ↑ A segment of Digos-Makar Road in General Santos is locally known as Jose Catolico Sr. Avenue.
  31. ↑ 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.
  32. ↑ The segment of Marbel-Makar Road in Polomolok (approaching Tupi, South Cotabato) is also known as Polomolok - Tupi National Highway.
  33. ↑ A segment of Marbel-Makar Road in the Koronadal city proper is locally known as Gensan Drive.
  34. ↑ Cotabato-Marbel Road is also known as Koronadal City - Cotabato City National Highway.
  35. ↑ The segment of Cotabato-Marbel Road from Banga to Surallah, South Cotabato is also known as Banga-Surallah Road.
  36. ↑ The segment of Cotabato-Marbel Road from Koronadal to Banga, South Cotabato is also known as Banga–Koronadal City Road.
  37. ↑ The segment of Cotabato-Marbel Road from Banga, South Cotabato to Isulan, Sultan Kudarat is also known as Banga–Isulan Road, signed under AH26.
  38. ↑ The segment of Cotabato-Marbel Road from Surallah, South Cotabato to Isulan, Sultan Kudarat is also known as Surallah-Isulan Road, signed under AH26.
  39. ↑ A segment of Cotabato-Marbel Road in the Koronadal city proper is locally known as Rafael Alunan Avenue.
  40. ↑ A segment of Isulan-Surallah Road in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat is locally known as Sen. Ninoy Aquino Avenue.
  41. ↑ The segment of Marbel-Allah Valley-Cotabato Road from Isulan, Sultan Kudarat to Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, is also known as Isulan–Shariff Aguak Road, while the segment from Shariff Aguak to Cotabato City is also known as Shariff Aguak–Cotabato City Road.
  42. ↑ A segment of Marbel-Allah Valley-Cotabato Road in the city proper of Cotabato City is locally known as Sinsuat Avenue.
  43. ↑ A segment of Cotabato–Lanao Road from Cotabato City to Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte is also known as Quezon Avenue.
  44. 1 2 A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway from Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte to Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur is also known as Narciso Ramos Highway.
  45. 1 2 3 4 The segment of Pan-Philippine Highway from Malabang, Lanao del Sur to Tukuran, Lanao del Sur is also known as Malabang–Tukuran Road.
  46. 1 2 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.
  47. ↑ 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.
  48. ↑ 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.
  49. ↑ Mel Lopez Boulevard in Manila is known as Radial Road 10 or R-10 for partially being its component.
  50. ↑ 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 and Tunga–Carigara Road from Tunga to Carigara. Some segments are named Real Street.
  51. ↑ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Palo, Leyte is locally known as San Salvador Street.
  52. ↑ A segment of Pan-Philippine Highway at the town proper of Carigara, Leyte is locally known as J. Riel Street.
  53. ↑ A segment of Palo–Carigara–Ormoc Road at the city proper of Ormoc is locally known as Lilia Avenue, Apo Street, Hermosilla Street, and Real Street, respectively.
  54. 1 2 Sayre Highway from Valencia to Maramag and Bukidnon–Davao Road from Quezon to Kitaotao are also known as Dologon–Busco–Quezon Road.
  55. ↑ A segment of Bukidnon–Davao Road in Quezon, Bukidnon is locally known as J. A. Fortich Road.
  56. ↑ A segment of Sayre Highway at the city proper of Malaybalay is locally known as Fortich Street.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "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. 1 2 Cabral, Maria Catalina. "Asian Highway 26 (AH26)" (PDF). United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  3. ↑ Multiple citations:
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "ROAD AND BRIDGE INFORMATION APPLICATION". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  5. ↑ Macapagal, Diosdado (January 25, 1965). Fourth State of the Nation Address (Speech).
  6. 1 2 Southern Luzon Western Sheet (Map). 1:200000. Washington D.C.: US Geodetic Survey. 1941. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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
  10. ↑ "Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway Rehabilitation Project (I) (II)" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway (Mindanao Section) Rehabilitation Project, Phase I and II" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Map of the Philippines". Philippine Country Guide. Archived from the original on July 17, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  13. ↑ Romero, Maira Bernadette (February 16, 2026). "Full-scale Maharlika rehab starts in June — Dizon". Daily Tribune. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  14. 1 2 "What does AH26 road sign mean?". Rappler.com. November 17, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  15. ↑ Republic Act No. 917 (June 20, 1953), Philippine Highway Act of 1953, retrieved September 25, 2021
  16. ↑ Acar, Arianne (April 17, 2026). "ON THIS DAY: Remembering AJ Perez and the roles he played". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ "The Pan-Philippine Highway Road Trip". 7641 Islands. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Maharlika Highway: No more a royal road". The Manila Times. January 20, 2026. Retrieved May 11, 2026.