The PNCC was established in 1966 by virtue of an executive order during the administration of the Former President Ferdinand Marcos as the Construction and Development Corporation of the Philippines (CDCP), with the corporation being led by Rodolfo Cuenca, a crony.

1113 was issued, granting the CDCP a 30-year franchise to operate and maintain the various limited-access toll highways in the Philippines.

The PNCC is now under the full supervision of the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry by virtue of the Executive Order 331, issued last July 16, 2004.

Some of its most famous projects were the San Juanico Bridge, the Metro Manila Skyway, North and South Luzon Expressways, the Manila Light Rail Transit System, the Manila–Cavite Expressway and Bay City.

Major beneficial shareholders (i.e. those who own at least 5% of outstanding capital stock with voting rights) hidden, if any, under the PCD system are checked/identified and are disclosed with the Definitive Information Statement companies are submitting annually to the local bourse and Securities and Exchange Commission [4][5] PNCC is divided into the following subsidiaries or affiliates: