Total repair would need P29 Billion
TACLOBAN CITY – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that he would allocate P1.4 billion for the rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway, particularly in Samar province.
The President made this announcement during his visit to Calbayog City on Thursday, July 4.
“Several parts of the Maharlika Highway have been damaged, which is a major problem for the residents here, so we have allocated more than one billion and four hundred million pesos to repair and maintain this road,” he said in his speech during the event held at the gymnasium of Northwestern Samar State University.
“We expect that the major projects on the Maharlika Highway will be completed from November 2024 to March 2025,” the President added.
Aside from this, Mr. Marcos also stated that roads in the province would be widened to improve and hasten the flow of transportation.
“I hope that the DPWH will focus on this to ensure it is completed as soon as possible,” the President said.
The repair of the Maharlika Highway has been a long-standing clamor of the people of Samar, as it serves as a vital road linking the region to the rest of the country.
The Maharlika Highway was completed during the administration of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., stretching from Northern Samar to Southern Leyte.
However, the highway, particularly on the Samar side, has been marked with potholes, delaying travel and even causing road accidents.
The DPWH in the region has earlier stated that it would ensure the Maharlika Highway’s completion within President Marcos’ administration.
The DPWH also mentioned that the complete rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway would need about P28.73 billion.
Out of the 395.52 kilometers of the Maharlika Highway in the region, 205.75 kilometers are in Samar province.
Among those who welcomed the President during his visit to Calbayog were Governors Sharee Ann Tan of Samar, Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, and Edwin Ongchuan of Northern Samar.
Also present were Calbayog city officials led by City Mayor Raymund Uy and Samar Representatives Michael Tan and Stephen James Tan.
JOEY A. GABIETA
