Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday expressed confidence on Monday that damaged sections of the Maharlika Highway in Samar will be rehabilitated by the end of 2027.
Dizon said the project will move forward with the support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with a focus on speed and quality through partnerships with major contractors.
During a site visit, Dizon and DPWH officials, together with local government representatives, inspected the over 200-kilometer stretch connecting Samar to Leyte via the San Juanico Bridge.
He noted that aside from potholes, deteriorating steel bridges along the route, including Gandara, Calbiga, and San Juanico bridges, require urgent attention.
The DPWH chief said the rehabilitation will be financed using the 2026–2027 budget and unspent funds from previous years, without relying on foreign loans.
Dizon added that the agency is still finalizing the total funding needed for the complete repair, noting that earlier estimates put the requirement at nearly ₱30 billion, with allocations already set for 2024 and 2025.
The project is a priority for the national government, as the highway forms a critical link in the road network connecting Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.