Dizon Sets 2027 Deadline for Maharlika Highway Rehabilitation in Samar

Posted on Feb. 7, 2026 at 7:08 am

Calbayog City, Samar — Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon has committed to completing the long-delayed rehabilitation of the Daang Maharlika in Samar before the end of 2027, following a two-day inspection of the deteriorated highway and major infrastructure projects in the province.

During his visit on February 1-2, Dizon assured local officials and residents that the Marcos administration has already earmarked funds from the 2026 national budget for the massive rehabilitation of the country’s main north–south highway, with additional allocations planned for 2027. Savings from the 2025 national budget will also be tapped to accelerate repairs.

“Before the end of 2027, we hope to rehabilitate a large portion of the Daang Maharlika, from Luzon to Mindanao, especially the sections that are frequently damaged,” Dizon said in a media interview in Calbayog City on Monday.

He stressed that the project will be funded entirely through government resources. “These are local funds. We are not borrowing from foreign banks,” he said.

Also known as the Pan-Philippine Highway, the Daang Maharlika spans more than 3,279 kilometers nationwide and serves as a vital artery for trade, tourism, and daily transport.

In Eastern Visayas, the highway covers 395.52 kilometers, with 205.75 kilometers running through Samar province—widely regarded as the most deteriorated section.

Dizon noted that based on his inspection from the Bicol region to Eastern Visayas, about 30 percent of the Maharlika Highway nationwide is severely damaged, underscoring the need for targeted but comprehensive rehabilitation rather than short-term patchwork repairs.

“The President’s commitment is that we will rehabilitate Daang Maharlika from Aparri to Mindanao before his term ends,” Dizon said. “We will not just do it fast, but do it the right way, since we want these projects to be sustainable.”

Safety, Contractors, and Accountability

To ensure timely completion and better quality, Dizon said the DPWH will stop relying on small, fragmented contractors and instead engage major construction firms.

“Our commitment to local leaders and even to the bishops is to hire big contractors—not small ones—so the work won’t be done in segments,” he said, noting that previous arrangements often led to delays and substandard output.

During the inspection, Dizon observed several road repairs being undertaken by small contractors without adequate safety measures.

“There were no warning signs, no barriers, and construction materials were just left on the roads, which can cause accidents,” he said.

In a video taken during the inspection, Dizon experienced the road’s condition firsthand as vehicles were forced to crawl at speeds as slow as five kilometers per hour due to potholes, mud, and ongoing construction, resulting in stop-and-go traffic and prolonged travel times.

Calbayog Coastal Road Controversy

Dizon also inspected the Calbayog City Coastal Bypass Road Project, where he criticized officials of the Samar 1st District Engineering Office for proceeding with bridge construction without securing the required clearance from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

The issue stems from a bridge built over a navigable waterway without a height clearance permit. PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago clarified that a 2021 memorandum cited by DPWH referred only to a bridge over a roadway, not a waterway.

“The bridge in issue is a bridge over a waterway,” Santiago said, stressing that DPWH must present an actual clearance from the PPA.

He explained that the bridge was originally designed as an arched structure with a five-meter clearance, but was later lowered and leveled with the road. “Dapat talaga naka-arko, hindi ka-level ng road,” Santiago said.

Dizon warned that legal action may be filed against district engineering officials if negligence is established and said the project’s completion was delayed due to the absence of the required clearance.

Bridges and Drainage Concerns

As part of his inspection, Dizon also checked the Calbiga Bridge, which remains under load restrictions due to structural deterioration, and ordered strict enforcement of weight limits and funding for rehabilitation. He likewise flagged the Gandara Bridge for fast-track repairs after sustaining damage in 2020, citing right-of-way and encroachment issues as causes of delay.

Dizon said Samar’s steel bridges and poor drainage systems have contributed to repeated road damage, especially given the province’s heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan welcomed Dizon’s visit, describing it as a long-awaited response to years of lobbying for national support.

“This is the first time that a Department of Public Works and Highways secretary actually inspected and visited the Daang Maharlika,” Tan said. “The road network is essential to Samar’s economy, mobility, and tourism development.”

Tan said she is optimistic that damaged sections of the highway will finally be fixed within two years, following Dizon’s commitment to sustained funding through 2026 and 2027.

“The secretary promised to fix the Maharlika Highway in Samar by the end of 2027. We have been lobbying for this since 2019. We got allocations in the past, but it’s not sufficient,” she said.

She noted that about 52 percent of national roads in Eastern Visayas are located in Samar, making it difficult for local governments to shoulder rehabilitation costs.

“We want to prioritize road rehabilitation, but we will not just settle for two lanes. What we aim for is complete rehabilitation and road widening,” Tan said, adding that 33 percent of the 205-kilometer highway in Samar remains two-lane.

Tan emphasized the need for proper drainage systems and right-of-way coordination to ensure long-term durability, especially given Samar’s wet climate and soil conditions.

After years of deteriorating roads marked by potholes, congestion, and safety risks, local officials expressed hope that the national government’s renewed focus on Samar’s segment of the Daang Maharlika will finally bring lasting relief to motorists, residents, and businesses across the province.

(Photos by: The Vanguard)