Several lawmakers questioned the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for giving much smaller funding to Andaya Highway in Camarines Sur compared to the Maharlika Highway in Camarines Norte.
The DPWH said more than ₱3.3 billion is set for Maharlika Highway projects in 2025. In contrast, only around ₱700 million was allotted this year for Andaya Highway.
Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Nelson Legacion said the agency should base its budget on what people actually need. He pointed out that more commuters use Andaya Highway than Maharlika Highway.
He noted the wide gap in funding and said it sends the wrong message. According to him, the DPWH should look at public benefit and the daily struggles of travelers when deciding where to put resources. He added that if Andaya Highway was a real priority, it would show in the budget.
The DPWH said it has a medium-term plan to rehabilitate Andaya Highway.
But Bicol Affairs and Economic Development Chairperson Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. said the repairs feel never-ending. He explained that once one section is fixed, another part becomes a problem again. He urged the agency to improve its work, noting that many travelers from the Visayas and Mindanao rely on the route.
