DPWH ramps up road projects in Quezon, Davao ahead of Holy Week rush

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is accelerating key road projects in Luzon and Mindanao to ease travel and support local livelihoods ahead of the Holy Week exodus.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon inspected several sections of the Maharlika Highway in Quezon province, where motorists are reportedly seeing improvements.

According to a report by GMA Integrated News stringer Peewee Bacuno, Dizon checked rehabilitated portions of the highway in Pagbilao, where previously damaged and uneven roads have been repaved.

The upgrades follow years of complaints from motorists over poor road conditions. Officials expect the improvements to benefit travelers, especially during the peak Holy Week travel period.

A broader rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway is set to begin after Holy Week, with authorities targeting visible improvements by 2027.

The drive to finish the roadworks comes amid persistent complaints over delays in DPWH infrastructure projects.

Motorists have long raised concerns about extended construction timelines, recurring repairs on the same road sections, and what critics describe as substandard workmanship that causes roads to deteriorate more quickly.

Traffic management around construction zones has also been a recurring issue, with inadequate signage, poorly coordinated lane closures, and limited on-ground personnel often worsening congestion instead of easing it—particularly during peak travel seasons such as Holy Week.

In Lopez, Dizon also inspected the viaduct project site—a known traffic bottleneck—along a flood-prone stretch of the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Canda, near the Lopez–Calauag boundary in Quezon.

The DPWH said both lanes at the site will be opened in time for Holy Week to help ease congestion.

The agency has also been directed to level uneven road sections and address dust and mud issues affecting nearby communities.

Dizon said construction of the viaduct will be accelerated following complaints about traffic buildup and its impact on residents.

Meanwhile, in Gumaca, Quezon, the DPWH reported completing repairs along the Maharlika Highway passing through the town proper.

The road, previously prone to damage from heavy and overloaded vehicles, has been reinforced with thicker concrete and steel. Officials said the upgrades are expected to make travel smoother and more durable, even under heavy use.

The DPWH said it will remain on full alert to ensure safe and efficient travel during Holy Week.

In Mindanao, Dizon also inspected farm-to-market road projects in Braulio E. Dujali, Davao del Norte, aimed at helping farmers reduce transport costs.

The project supports the administration’s push to assist the agriculture sector, particularly small farmers affected by rising fuel prices.

According to the DPWH, even partial completion of the road has already reduced fuel expenses for farmers transporting goods to nearby markets.

Officials said the project will also benefit farmers traveling as far as Tagum City once it is completed, with the remaining sections now being fast-tracked.

The DPWH said the continued rollout of infrastructure projects forms part of efforts to improve mobility, boost economic activity, and support communities across regions.—MCG, GMA Integrated News