Marcos OKs release of P145.56B for Central Mindanao Highway

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved the release of P145.56 billion for the 65-kilometer Central Mindanao High Standard Highway Construction Project (CMHSHCP), which will connect Cagayan de Oro City and Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Monday.

In a statement, the DBM said it issued a Forward Obligational Authority (FOA) to ensure funding for the project from fiscal year 2026 to 2034.

The CMHSHCP aims to improve connectivity between Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay, cutting travel time from 6.5 hours to 3.5 hours.

The project will cover 64.7 kilometers of four-lane road traversing the municipality of Tagoloan and Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental, as well as the municipalities of Manolo Fortich, Sumilao, Impasugong, and Malaybalay in Bukidnon.

It also includes the construction of 47 bridges, nine of which will be long-span structures.

Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo said the issuance of the FOA ensures that funding will be sustained until the project’s completion.

“Sa direktiba ng Pangulo na pabilisin ang infrastructure development, sinisiguro natin na hindi maaantala ang proyekto dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo," Toledo said.

(With the President’s directive to accelerate infrastructure development, we ensure the project will not be delayed due to lack of funds.)

"With this FOA, garantisado ang tuloy-tuloy na financing hanggang matapos—para mas mabilis maramdaman ng mga Pilipino, lalo na sa Mindanao, ang benepisyo ng mas maayos, mas mabilis, at mas ligtas na biyahe,” he added.

(With this FOA, continuous financing is guaranteed until completion—so Filipinos, especially in Mindanao, can sooner experience safer, faster, and more efficient travel.)

Toledo said the project goes beyond infrastructure to improving everyday life for Filipinos.

“This is not just about building a road—it is about connecting communities, shortening the distance between opportunities, and making everyday life easier for our kababayans,” he said.

In January, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the project—funded through official development assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency—was approved by the Economy and Development Council, chaired by the President.—MCG, GMA Integrated News