WHEREAS, the construction of the Agoo-Tubao-Pugo-Tuba-Baguio City road network, which traverses the Provinces of La Union and Benguet and the City of Baguio, otherwise known as the Marcos Highway covering a total of 47,574 kms. was necessary in order to accelerate the social, political, cultural and economic development in the area;

WHEREAS, the road is the vital link and outlet of the farmers from both provinces in bringing their farm and other agricultural products to the urban areas;

WHEREAS, the recent heavy rains brought about by the typhoons and the seemingly continuous monsoon rains have resulted in mud and land slides in the various sections of the road, causing serious damage to the network and some of the bridges therein, thus, rendering it almost impassable to all types of vehicles;

WHEREAS, the maintenance and improvements introduced by the respective provincial engineering offices are no match to nature's forces that constantly batter and cause heavy damage to the road network.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order as follows:

SECTION 1. The Agoo-Tubao-Pugo-Tuba-Baguio City road network otherwise known as the Marcos Highway in the Provinces of La Union and Benguet and in the City of Baguio (Km. 236 + 741 to Km. 284 + 315, recon from Agoo, La Union) covering 47.574 kilometers, is hereby converted into a National Road.

SEC. 2. The amount necessary for the maintenance and improvement of the said road network shall continue to be funded out of the lump sum appropriation for the repair and maintenance of local roads and, in addition, shall also be funded out of any savings from appropriations for the maintenance of national roads in the Philippines until such time that maintenance funds for the said road network shall have been specifically provided in the national budget.

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 5th day of November in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-five.