POTHOLES. A portion of the damaged highway in Samar province. Eastern Visayas got an allocation of PHP8.05 billion this year to fix the damaged sections of its major road network, including the potholes in Samar province (Photo courtesy of Calbayog Update)
TACLOBAN CITY – A total of PHP8.05 billion was allocated this year for the rehabilitation of the damaged sections of Maharlika Highway covering areas of Samar province, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Friday.
Rehabilitating the Maharlika Highway in Eastern Visayas is a top priority of the national government as it forms part of the road network that connects Luzon to Mindanao.
“A big chunk of the budget is intended for Samar province since many portions badly need rehabilitation. Of the 205 kilometers of major highway in two legislative district of Samar, some 77 kilometers have bad rating while 39 kilometers got a poor rating,” DPWH Eastern Visayas Director Edgar Tabacon said in a press briefing late Thursday.
A road in poor condition means it needs extensive, full-depth repairs and slab replacement while those sections with poor rating needs total reconstruction, Tabacon said.
This year’s allocation will finance 107 projects including road reconstruction, road and bridge widening, slope protection, off-carriageway improvements, drainage system, and installation of road signs and pavement markings.
The bumpy road in Samar province has been the subject of social media posts with photos of deep cracks and potholes.
“Like other road users. We are also disappointed with the road conditions. This a result of low maintenance funds in the past. Secretary Manuel Bonoan understands the situation and that is why we are getting higher allocation this year,” Tabacon told reporters.
In 2023, the major highway only got PHP248.79 million for maintenance, way lower than the PHP633.8 million outlay in 2020. The budget was for the entire 395.52-kilometers segment of Maharlika Highway in the region from Northern Samar to Southern Leyte.
The reduction of maintenance funds, according to Tabacon, is one of the consequences of the abolition of the Road Board, established through Republic Act 8794 to ensure the efficient management of the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC), also known as road user’s tax.
The MVUC used to be the major source of funds for road maintenance nationwide.
In 2019, then-President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law abolishing the Road Board and allowing the disposition of funds from the MVUC.
Tabacon said that to fully rehabilitate the road stretch, the DPWH needs PHP29.75 billion, including the PHP8.05 billion set aside this year and the initial PHP6.96 billion proposal for 2025. (PNA)
