Dizon says Samar highway potholes getting worse, wants to speed up rehab

On board a tourist bus, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon observed that the vehicle could only run for about five kilometers per hour due to the crater-like potholes on the Maharlika Highway that stretches along Samar province.

Motorists frequently navigating the highway have come to endure the rough road, but hope they could run on paved roads, too.

"Coming home takes a longer time as vehicles drive slowly because of the potholes. We noticed that there would be repairs, but which would remain unfinished," a motorist said.

Dizon and DPWH officials conducted an inspection of infrastructure projects in the province, and ordered a fast-track of the road repairs.

The potholes and mud along Maharlika Highway not only risk accidents but also cause severe traffic congestion.

About 200 kilometers of the 3,500-km Maharlika Highway are in Samar.

According to Dizon, 30% of the entire Maharlika Highway across the country is damaged.

The Samar provincial government plans to construct a drainage system along the 200-km-long Maharlika Highway to drain rainwater in the area.

Meanwhile, Dizon said the DPWH will investigate why its district engineer failed to obtain clearance from the Philippine Ports Authority for the Calbayog Coastal Bypass Road, which started in 2019.

"We will find out why the process was not followed.  Was it oversight, was it negligence, what is important is that the project will no longer be delayed and there are no additional funds needed," he said.

Dizon also inspected the Gandara Bridge and ordered to speed up its construction after it was damaged in 2020. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News