NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Maharlika Highway Repairs In Samar Seen Completed By 2027
Photo credit: PNA
Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said the government is aiming to repair major damaged sections of the Maharlika Highway in the province by the end of 2027, calling the project a clear priority under the Marcos administration.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Dizon shared an optimistic timeline, saying a “significant portion” of the highway should be fixed within two years. He assured local officials that the DPWH will work closely with large, experienced contractors to make sure the job is done quickly—and done right.
“We committed to Samar officials that we will partner with big contractors and make Maharlika Highway a top priority,” Dizon said, noting that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. fully supports the rehabilitation plan.
To see the situation firsthand, Dizon joined DPWH and local government officials on a bus inspection of more than 200 kilometers of road, stretching from Catbalogan City all the way to the San Juanico Bridge that connects Samar to Leyte.
Beyond the usual potholes, Dizon pointed out that Samar faces a more serious challenge: aging steel bridges. He specifically cited the Gandara Bridge, Calbiga Bridge, and even the iconic San Juanico Bridge as structures needing urgent attention.
Funding, according to Dizon, will come from a mix of the 2026 and 2027 budgets, plus savings from previous years. He stressed that the project can be financed locally, with no need to tap foreign loans. The final cost of the full rehabilitation, however, is still being finalized.
Earlier estimates from the DPWH showed that fully restoring the Maharlika Highway in Samar would require about ₱29.75 billion. This figure already includes ₱8.05 billion allocated in 2024 and an initial ₱6.96 billion programmed for 2025.
For the government, fixing Maharlika Highway is more than just a local concern. As part of the main road network linking Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the highway is seen as vital to trade, travel, and economic activity across the country—and Samar’s long-awaited repairs are now firmly on the roadmap.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Dizon shared an optimistic timeline, saying a “significant portion” of the highway should be fixed within two years. He assured local officials that the DPWH will work closely with large, experienced contractors to make sure the job is done quickly—and done right.
“We committed to Samar officials that we will partner with big contractors and make Maharlika Highway a top priority,” Dizon said, noting that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. fully supports the rehabilitation plan.
To see the situation firsthand, Dizon joined DPWH and local government officials on a bus inspection of more than 200 kilometers of road, stretching from Catbalogan City all the way to the San Juanico Bridge that connects Samar to Leyte.
Beyond the usual potholes, Dizon pointed out that Samar faces a more serious challenge: aging steel bridges. He specifically cited the Gandara Bridge, Calbiga Bridge, and even the iconic San Juanico Bridge as structures needing urgent attention.
Funding, according to Dizon, will come from a mix of the 2026 and 2027 budgets, plus savings from previous years. He stressed that the project can be financed locally, with no need to tap foreign loans. The final cost of the full rehabilitation, however, is still being finalized.
Earlier estimates from the DPWH showed that fully restoring the Maharlika Highway in Samar would require about ₱29.75 billion. This figure already includes ₱8.05 billion allocated in 2024 and an initial ₱6.96 billion programmed for 2025.
For the government, fixing Maharlika Highway is more than just a local concern. As part of the main road network linking Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the highway is seen as vital to trade, travel, and economic activity across the country—and Samar’s long-awaited repairs are now firmly on the roadmap.
Feb 2, 2026
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