The national government is working double time to rehabilitate and repair major sections of the Pan-Philippine Highway in Eastern Visayas, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Sections of the Pan-Philippine Highway, particularly in Samar Island, had been dubbed "instruments of torture" by motorists and commuters who had to endure bumpy rides along the country's main highway network.
A report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) noted that some P6.59 billion have been allocated under the 2025 General Appropriations Act for the rehabilitation of the damaged sections of the major road, also known as Maharlika Highway, from Northern Samar to Southern Leyte.
This is the second year that the region's major highway got a higher outlay.
In 2024, the 395.52-km. segment of Maharlika Highway in Eastern Visayas got P8.05 billion.
A big chunk of the budget is intended for Samar province since many portions badly need rehabilitation, according to DPWH Eastern Visayas Director Edgar Tabacon.
"The entire Maharlika Highway, including component bridges from Luzon to Mindanao, is due for rehabilitation through foreign funding, but we cannot wait for that. We have included the repair of our Maharlika Highway in our regular budget since last year," Tabacon said.
Of the total allocation this year, some P3.6 billion is meant for Samar province with 80 projects, P1.14 billion for Leyte (18 projects), PHP808 million for Southern Leyte (16 projects), P758 million for Northern Samar (seven projects), and P292 million for the portion of the major highway in Tacloban City (four projects).
This year’s allocation will finance 125 projects, including road reconstruction, road and bridge widening, slope protection, off-carriageway improvements, drainage systems, and installation of road signs and pavement markings.
The majority of projects are in Samar province, considering that of the 205 kilometers of the major highway in two legislative districts of Samar, some 77 kilometers have a bad rating, while 39 kilometers got a poor rating, based on recent assessments.
Tabacon said sections with poor ratings need total reconstruction.
The DPWH earlier said that to fully rehabilitate the road stretch from Northern Samar to Southern Leyte, it needs P29.75 billion, including the P8.05 billion allotted in 2024 and the P6.59 billion set aside this year.
(With report from PNA)
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #DPWH #PNA