Samar Island's roads had earned a bad reputation among motorists
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) now wants to erase that reputation, as it alloted a total of P8.05 billion for the rehabilitation of the island's main road, the Maharlika Highway.
During a recent press briefing, DPWH Eastern Visayas Director Edgar Tabacon said rehabilitating the Maharlika Highway along Samar Island is now the "top priority" of the agency in the region.
“A big chunk of the budget is intended for Samar province since many portions badly need rehabilitation. Of the 205 kilometers of major highways in two legislative districts of Samar, some 77 kilometers have bad rating while 39 kilometers got a poor rating,” the official explained.
A road in poor condition means it needs extensive, full-depth repairs and slab replacement while those sections with poor rating need total reconstruction, Tabacon said.
This year’s allocation will finance 107 projects including road reconstruction, road and bridge widening, slope protection, off-carriageway improvements, drainage system, and installation of road signs and pavement markings.
The bumpy road in Samar province has been the subject of social media posts with photos of deep cracks and potholes.
“Like other road users, we are also disappointed with the road conditions. This is a result of low maintenance funds in the past. Secretary Manuel Bonoan understands the situation and that is why we are getting higher allocation this year,” Tabacon told reporters.
Lack of funds?
In 2023, the major highway only got P248.79 million for maintenance, way lower than the P633.8 million outlay in 2020.
The budget was for the entire 395.52-kilometers segment of Maharlika Highway in the region from Northern Samar to Southern Leyte.
The reduction of maintenance funds, according to Tabacon, is one of the consequences of the abolition of the Road Board, established through Republic Act 8794 to ensure the efficient management of the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC), also known as road user’s tax.
The MVUC used to be the major source of funds for road maintenance nationwide.
In 2019, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law abolishing the Road Board and allowing the disposition of funds from the MVUC.
Tabacon said that to fully rehabilitate the road stretch, the DPWH needs P29.75 billion, including the P8.05 billion set aside this year and the initial P6.96 billion proposal for 2025. (With report from the PNA)
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