Tacloban city: Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon is optimistic that damaged sections of the national highway in Samar province will be fixed by the end of 2027. Dizon said on Monday that the rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway will push through within two years with the commitment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dizon expressed hope that by the end of 2027, a significant portion of the Maharlika Highway will be fixed. He committed to Samar officials to partner with large contractors to ensure that the project is completed efficiently. Dizon emphasized the importance of making the Maharlika Highway a top priority during a press briefing at the Red Iron Hotel.

Dizon, along with other key DPWH and local government officials, conducted an inspection of the more than 200-kilometer road stretch from Tacloban City to San Juanico Bridge, which connects Samar to Leyte Island. The inspection highlighted concerns beyond road potholes, including the deteriorating condition of steel bridges along the highway, such as the Gandara Bridge, Calbiga Bridge, and San Juanico Bridge.

Dizon mentioned that the budget for 2026, 2027, and savings from previous years will be used to finance the rehabilitation. He indicated that this funding can be sourced locally, eliminating the need for a foreign loan. However, Dizon noted that the DPWH has yet to finalize the funding requirement for the full rehabilitation activities.

In 2024, the DPWH stated that the government will require PHP29.75 billion for the complete rehabilitation of the road stretch in Samar. This includes PHP8.05 billion allocated for 2024 and an initial PHP6.96 billion for 2025. The rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway in the region remains a top priority for the central government, as it forms a crucial part of the road network linking Luzon to Mindanao.