The delay in the construction of the detour road at the collapsed portion of the Bukidnon-Davao Road in Quezon, Bukidnon is expected to affect the economies of Northern Mindanao and Davao.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon earlier said the construction of the detour road may take three to five months.

The testing phase alone would reportedly reach two months.

“Ang estimated time natin to do the test baka umabot ng dalawang buwan. Pagkatapos nun, magde-disenyo na tayo ng detour road sa inner portion nung kalye. Idudugtong natin ang hindi nasira sa baba dun sa hindi nasira sa itaas… yun pinaka mabilis na gagawin. Two months yung testing pa lang kasi matagal na testing to pero pipilitin nating bilisan yan,” Dizon said.

However, Oro Chamber past president and Regional Development Council past co-chairman, Ray Talimio Jr., said the timeline is too long and may affect the prices of products going in and out of the region.

“Mura’g dili siya acceptable… puwede niya sabihin na five months but because of the viability, the importance of this road network, we will do it half the time mao na atong paabuton nga pronouncement,” Talimio said.

Talimio said the estimated daily economic loss due to the road closure could reach P1 million, particularly in the agriculture, trucking, and manufacturing sectors, as trucks transporting goods between Northern Mindanao and Davao regions face significant delays.

“Ang trucking, normally, sila gyud mag-shoulder sa additional cost, but of course, they will make arrangement. For example, nga magkaroon ng sharing sa additional cost and then the time sa delivery kay siyempre mas dugay,” Talimio said.

He said they are set to meet with officials of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPD), and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to discuss possible interventions.

Talimio also said that they will also send a position paper to Malacañang to request President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to expedite the construction of the detour road.

Dizon assured that the project will be done efficiently and safely.

“Ang pangako natin sa kanila hindi lang natin aayusin ito ng mabilis, aayusin natin ito ng tama para sa safety nila safety first tayo dito,” Dizon added.