Which Marikina Roads Became National Roads

In recent decades, the landscape of Marikina City has seen significant infrastructure shifts as several of its key local thoroughfares were reclassified as national roads. This legal transformation, enacted through various Republic Acts (R.A.) passed by the Philippine Congress and archived in the Senate of the Philippines Legislative Reference Bureau, places these roads under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

By converting these roads, the national government takes over the funding for their maintenance, repair, and improvement—an essential move for a city that serves as a vital gateway between Metro Manila and the province of Rizal.

Here is a list of Marikina roads reclassified as national roads, based on legislative records since 2010:

Gil Fernando street sign

1. Gil Fernando Avenue

• Legislation: Republic Act No. 10079
• Date of Approval: April 20, 2010
• Scope: This act converted Gil Fernando Avenue, which traverses Barangays Sto. Niño and San Roque, into a national road. This avenue is a major commercial artery that connects Sumulong Highway to the Marikina-Infanta Highway (Marcos Highway).

Shoe Avenue

2. Shoe Avenue 

• Legislation: Republic Act No. 10138 
• Date of Approval: June 3, 2010 
• Scope: Traverses Barangays San Roque, Sta. Elena, and Sto. Niño. As one of the city's most iconic streets, named after its primary industry, the conversion ensured that the national government would oversee the upkeep of this central corridor. 

Gen. Ordonez Ave.

3. General Ordoñez Avenue 

• Legislation: Republic Act No. 10385 
• Date of Approval: March 14, 2013 
• Scope: This extensive road traverses the second district of Marikina, specifically Barangays Marikina Heights, Concepcion Uno, Concepcion Dos, and Parang. Its conversion was pivotal for the residential and commercial hubs of the "Upper Marikina" area. 

4. Roxas Street 

• Legislation: Republic Act No. 10415 
• Date of Approval: March 26, 2013 
• Scope: Located in Barangays Kalumpang and San Roque, Roxas Street serves as a critical link for commuters heading toward the boundaries of Pasig and Santolan. 

corner of Katipunan St and Rainbow St., SSS Village

5. Katipunan Street 

• Legislation: Republic Act No. 10418 
• Date of Approval: March 26, 2013 
• Scope: Katipunan Street traverses Barangay Concepcion Uno and Barangay Concepcion Dos. It is a major residential thoroughfare that supports the flow of traffic within the city’s second district.

Summary Table of Converted Roads

Road Name	Republic Act	Date Approved
Gil Fernando Avenue	R.A. 10079	April 20, 2010
Shoe Avenue	R.A. 10138	June 3, 2010
Gen. Ordoñez Avenue	R.A. 10385	March 14, 2013
Roxas Street	R.A. 10415	March 26, 2013
Katipunan Street	R.A. 10418	March 26, 2013

Why Conversion Matters

The conversion of these local streets into national roads is more than just a change in nomenclature. According to the standard provisions of these Republic Acts, the Secretary of Public Works and Highways is mandated to include the improvement and maintenance of these roads in the Department’s annual program. The funding is specifically sourced from the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

For Marikina residents, this means more consistent road quality and better-integrated drainage systems, which are crucial for the city's flood mitigation efforts. By offloading the financial burden of these major roads to the national treasury, the local government can redirect its own budget toward smaller community projects and barangay-level services.

References: 

https://issuances-library.senate.gov.ph/bills/house-bill-no-3394-15th-congress-republic

https://issuances-library.senate.gov.ph/bills/house-bill-no-4723-14th-congress-republic

https://issuances-library.senate.gov.ph/bills/house-bill-no-4664-14th-congress-republic

https://ldr.senate.gov.ph/bills/house-bill-no-2767-15th-congress-republic

https://issuances-library.senate.gov.ph/legislative%2Bissuances/Republic%20Act%20No.%2010385

A Demolished Bay Tree

What used to be popularly known as Bay Tree at the corner of Katipunan Road and Gen. Ordonez (formerly Molave St). is no more.    Some who are not  familiar with the place (usually those asking for directions) used to mistakenly call it "Bay 3".  But for those who are familiar with this supermarket, it has been at this corner since the 1980's.   It has been there long before the Molave Wet & Dry Market was built just across it.  Bay Tree also used to be home as well to several small stores adjacent to it and also served as a tricycle terminal along the Katipunan Ave side.

Most of the time, Bay Tree served as shelter from the rains as people would stay here until rains subside.   It also served as waiting shed for commuters waiting for the SSS Village jeeps and a meeting area for Marikenos living nearby.  The building has been totally demolished and is currently just a vacant lot.

Bay Tree and Florings are 2 supermarkets surely to be remembered by Marikenos from SSS Village and Marikina Heights.

Ano Hanap Mo ?

I saw this small canteen near the corner of Katipunan and Gen. Ordonez Ave.  It's a joint called "Ano Hanap Mo?" (What are you looking for ?)

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Plus they have some thirst quenchers like mais con yelo, halo-halo and shakes to beat off the summer heat.  

What's kinda interesting that fries is listed below the desserts and shakes on the menu as if it were part of dessert.  The place is small with one parking space in front of it but there are several parking slots just across the street.  

O ano ? Ano hanap mo ?

Pan de Amerikana, So Much More Than A Bakery

When you hear of "Pan de Amerikana", you'll guess that it's a bakery.  Well that's true.  But their main branch in Marikina is so much more than just a bakery.  It's a cozy restaurant too.  My high school classmate's brother is one of the owners of this unique establishment.

First off, the pandesal alone is one big reason why people buy here on a daily basis.  They tag their pandesal as 1950's pandesal.  They bake their own wheat pandesal and the size is enormous for it's very affordable price of P4.00 per piece.   It's best eaten hot which they always have a fresh new batch newly baked from their chimney-like cement oven... just the way bread was baked in the olden days.

I'd suggest you'd buy your take-out pandesal after dining for a whole Pan de Amerikana experience.   The restaurant is semi self-service.   You order your food at the entrance where the counter is, proceed inside and find a place to seat, and they'll serve it in a few minutes.

While you're waiting, you can play.  Yes , play!  The uniqueness of this restaurant is that chess enthusiasts will go gaga over this restaurant.  All the tables have chessboards imprinted and embedded on every table and chess pieces are available at the front where you can play a friendly game of chess at the convenience in your own table.   Would you like to add difficulty to your game ?  A lifesize chess board can be found at the far end of the restaurant.    These huge pieces require you to physically pick each one up when moving them.  There's a huge stop clock at the side too.  If you want a wider perspective, there's an elevated platform you could get up on to see the entire chess board.    They also have some wooden sungka gamesets and darts if you'd like to play alone.

The place is also reminiscent of a tranquil sanctuary with a pond full of fishes, a bridge, memorabilia, a gorgeous landscape, lots of beautiful and hanging plants, miniature windmills, a transparent waterfall wall and a balcony for children to play and see the exterior as if the restaurant were a fortress.   There's also a stage with a huge flatscreen TV and extra huge high-powered fans for proper ventilation.   The entire restaurant also offers free wifi.

On one side of the main interior are pictures of Filipino celebrities of the '60's and '70's with some "then and now" pictures of them side by side.    A display board at the entrance shows pictures of several famous people who have visited Pan de Amerikana.  There are also a lot of vintage statues and antiques scattered throughout the restaurant.   

The food on their menu is mostly Filipino with the myriad variations of the "log" family (tapsilog, longsilog etc).  They also have eat all you can buffets during certain days of the week.   Of course, you can order fresh pandesal with filling straight from their oven.   They also offer some "kakanins" like palitao and kutsinta.

Overall, this place is a must see and visit Marikina attraction.   The ambiance is one that will take your mind off the busy metro and relax and unwind feeling the calmness of the restaurants surroundings.   

You can have breakfast as early as 6am.  As for dinner though, you better go early since they close at 6pm.    Pan de Amerikana is located at 92 Ordonez St.  You can reach them at 475-2398 or 0917 530-8824 or visit their website at http://pandeamerikana.multiply.com/

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Madison Avenue

Just across Pan de Amerikana bakery in Marikina Heights is a new restaurant called Madison Avenue. It has nothing to do with where its located cause it's along Gen. Ordonez St. This cozy restaurant recently opened in January 2009 and serves from 7am to 10pm.  Entering the restuarant, you'd have the impression that it's an enclosed area due to the grills on each side and the huge hut-like top,  but it's actually an open-air area.   The chandelier lighting, figurines and decorations make the place a homey one, as if you were just beside a mansion's veranda.

There are some nipa huts at the back and a 2nd floor for functions.  Also, when you enter, there is an enclosed sqare room which seems to cater to after-meals as the cookie jar and a ref with some desserts were situated. 

Their food groups comprise of breakfast favorites (tocilog, tapsilog,  longsilog and daingsilog), tasty sandwiches (chicken sandwich and grilled cheese sandwich), pastas (baked macaroni, chicken fusille and carbonara), sizzling specials (sizzling porkchop, taningue, bangus, tilapia and devilled hotdogs), merienda (pancit bihon, canton, guisado) and grilled dishes (pork bbq, chicken bbq and grilled liempo).

I ordered the sizzling porkchop which includes a cup of rice, soup and softdrinks.  As the name suggested, my order was served in a sizzling plate with beans and grazy poured over the porkchop.  The serving is just enough to satisfy an empty stomach.  The bottled softdrink though is served in a 240ml bottle, so you may need additional drinks if you're the thirsty type.  The dishes are moderately priced so it won't be costly to try any entree on the menu.

Overall, I find the place cozy and gives you the feeling of dining at home, but a much bigger home.  

Try it out when you pass by Marikina Heights.