The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has earmarked P4.4 billion for the Daang Maharlika rehabilitation project in the Caraga region in Mindanao.
The project aims to improve the condition of Daang Maharlika road that starts from Barangay Lipata in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, and ends in Barangay Langkilaan in Trento, Agusan del Sur, through the completion of 45 projects which are included in the 2024 General Appropriations Act.
Of the total budget, bulk is allocated for the province of Agusan del Sur amounting to P3.19 billion, following the careful study and identification of the priority section of Daang Maharlika, DPWH said.
The DPWH Agusan del Sur First and Second District Engineering Offices will oversee the implementation of 13 and 16 projects, respectively.
The rest of the projects will cover the provinces of Agusan del Norte with six projects worth P456.8 million, Surigao del Norte with seven projects at P519.9 million, and Butuan City with three projects amounting to P275 million.
Pol Delos Santos, DPWH Regional Office 13 director, said the projects to be implemented by DPWH along Daang Maharlika in Caraga range from preventive maintenance or asphalt overlaying; major repair and widening of roads and bridges; concrete reblocking; to installations of road safety measures, such as pavement markings and signages.
Santos assured swift and close monitoring of the projects, which are given priority status as Daang Maharlika is the major trunkline in the Philippines, and given the recent directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to repair damaged roads after the recent flooding and earthquake in the Caraga region.
“We are accelerating the pre-construction requirements of these projects with some having completed procurement activities and are ready for implementation. Once all requirements are in place, we will immediately commence construction works,” he added.