President Marcos has pinpointed the immediate rehabilitation of the deteriorated segments of Maharlika Highway in Samar province as one of the focuses of his administration in improving the region’s economy.
He made the announcement on Thursday, July 4, that his administration approved P1.4 billion for the repairs during the distribution of financial assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and their families in Calbayog City, Samar.
“Isa sa mga tinututukan natin ay ang pagsasaayos ng imprastruktura dito sa Samar upang lalo pang umunlad ang inyong ekonomiya (One of the things we are focusing on is fixing the infrastructure here in Samar so your economy will further improve),” he told them during a speech he delivered at Northwest Samar State University.
“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 isang bilyon at apat na raang milyong piso para ayusin at pagpapanatili ng kalsadang ito (There are parts that were broken in Maharlika Highway, which is a big problem for the residents here, so we earmarked more then P1.4 billion to fix and maintain this road),” he disclosed.
Marcos said he expects the swift completion of the initial projects in Maharlika Highway from November 2024 to March 2025.
“Kaya po patuloy naming tinutugunan ang inyong mga pangangailangan upang makatulong sa inyong pagbangon mula dinaanan nating hirap ng tagtuyot (This is why we continuously address your needs to help you in your recovery from the hardships we faced during the drought),” he added.
The Chief Executive also announced plans to expand streets in Samar to improve the flow of traffic.
Included in these plans are the Basey-Marabut-Pinamitinan Road, Wright-Taft Borongan Road, and the construction of the P100-million Catbalogan Drainage System to prevent flooding in Calbayog City.
The President said he expects the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will concentrate on the road projects to ensure that they will be completed at the soonest possible time.
The Maharlika Highway was completed during the administration of the late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Spanning 3,379.73 kilometers, the land segment—roads and bridges—of the highway linked Eastern Visayas to Luzon via Northern Samar province and to Mindanao through Southern Leyte province.
However, the highway has since deteriorated and has drawn widespread criticisms.