DPWH: Maharlika Highway repairs completed by Holy Week

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is eyeing to finish the clearing and repairs of the Maharlika Highway ahead of the Holy Week due to the expected influx of travelers. 

According to Joseph Morong’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, the DPWH is fast-tracking the clearing of obstruction, temporary patching, and the leveling of bumpy portions of the national highway by the end of March. 

“Pasensya ulit pero kaya kami nagmamadali ngayon kasi in preparation for Holy Week,” said DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon. 

(I’m very sorry but we are in a rush in preparation for the Holy Week.) 

The DPWH is targeting to begin the long-term rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway – which requires P16 billion in funding – by June or July of this year. 

 “Magkakaroon na tayo ng malawakang bidding… [Regions] 4A, 5 sa Bicol, Samar sa Region 8, and sa Region 13 - sa Surigao, Agusan area. Kasi ayun yung information natin na ‘yan ang pinakamasasamang area,” Dizon said.

(We will have a large-scale bidding... For Regions 4A, 5 in Bicol, Samar in Region 8, and Region 13 – in the Surigao and Agusan areas. This is because, based on our information, those are the areas that have the worst road conditions.) 

The Maharlika Highway, also known as the Pan-Philippine Highway, spans over 3,000 kilometers. It starts in Laoag City in Northern Luzon and extends to the Eastern Visayas up to Zamboanga City in Mindanao. 

On the other hand, the Phase 1 of the EDSA rehabilitation from Taft to Orense is expected to be done by July. The first phase of the rehabilitation plan promises sidewalks for pedestrians.

The DPWH is considering the possibility of implementing repairs non-stop during the Holy Week as it expects fewer motorists on the road.—– Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News