PUVs to benefit from Maharlika Highway repairs – LTFRB

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday said the massive rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway this year will benefit countless public utility vehicles using the said road in the provinces.

In a statement, LTFRB chairperson Vigor Mendoza II welcomed the assurance of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that it will prioritize the massive rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway and other key roads.

He said DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon’s commitment to repair the Maharlika Highway will benefit public utility buses (PUBs), as the Maharlika Highway is the main route of passenger buses.

“Napakatagal nang inirereklamo ng mga bus operators ang sira-sira at bako-bakong mga daan sa probinsya. At noon pa man ay talagang sinasabi na natin na ang sira-sirang daan ay may matinding epekto sa mga transport operators dahil dagdag maintenance expenses ito,” Mendoza said.

(Bus operators have long complained of the potholes along provincial roads. And even before, we’ve said that these roads have a significant effect on transport operators because this means additional maintenance expenses.)

“I am sure that bus operators and drivers, and even the other operators of public utility vehicles would be happy with this project of DPWH Secretary Dizon and President Marcos to improve the condition of the Maharlika Highway,” he added.

Aside from buses, the Maharlika Highway is also the main route of most passenger jeepneys, UV Express vans and even tricycles in the provinces.

The Maharlika Highway covers around 3,500 kilometers from Northern Luzon to the southern part of Mindanao. Its end-to-end repair is expected to cost at least P16 billion.

Mendoza said the repair of the Maharlika Highway is also a major boost to the LTFRB and the national government’s road safety campaign, noting that poor road conditions are one of the major causes of road crashes.

He said Dizon’s background as former Transportation Secretary played a role in his determination to focus more on road repairs, particularly the Maharlika Highway.

“The good thing about this is there is trust and confidence among the Filipino people that these road repairs are clean and transparent because Secretary Vince himself is at the forefront of the campaign for truth, transparency and accountability in the DPWH,” Mendoza added.

Earlier, the DPWH said it is also undertaking a massive repair of the Andaya Highway, one of the major routes of buses and trucks going to and from Bicol Region and the Visayas. The agency is also rehabilitating EDSA.

“We are looking forward to these repairs because we believe that this will have significant positive effects on the transport sector,” Mendoza added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News