President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday assured the immediate repair of damaged sections of the primary highway in Samar province with the allocation of PHP1.4 billion this year.
Speaking to officials and residents of Samar Island during his visit to Calbayog City, Samar, Marcos assured the public that the road condition would be improved with intensified repair works from November 2024 to March 2025.
“Ang mga nasira, may ilang bahagi ng Maharlika Highway ang nasira, ay isang malaking problema para sa mga naninirahan dito, kaya naglaan po tayo ng mahigit PHP1.4 billion para ayusin at pagpapanatili ng kalsadang ito (The dilapidated [parts of the road] – some parts of Maharlika Highway have been destroyed – are a huge problem for the residents here, so we allocated more than PHP1.4 billion to repair and maintain this road),” he said, eliciting applause from the crowd.
The President said it is expected that major works within the Maharlika Highway of Samar province would be completed between November 2024 and March 2025.
The road network in Samar forms part of the nautical highway that connects Luzon to Mindanao.
He also mentioned other infrastructure projects in Samar Island, such as the Basey-Marabut-Pinamitinan Road, Wright-Taft Borongan Road, Catbalogan Drainage System, and flood control project in Calbayog City.
“Umaasa ako na tututukan ito ng DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) upang masiguro na matapos ito sa lalong madaling panahon (I’m hoping that the DPWH would monitor this to ensure its completion at the earliest possible time),” he said.
Marcos was in Samar to distribute the presidential assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and families at the Northwest Samar State University in Calbayog City.
Data from the DPWH’s regional office showed that out of the 205-km. Maharlika Highway in Samar, about 116 km. need total rehabilitation.
This allocation announced by the President will finance road reconstruction, road and bridge widening, slope protection, off-carriageway improvements, drainage system, and the installation of road signs and pavement markings. (PNA)