Dizon fumes over quick fixes on Maharlika Highway

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- He came, he saw, he hit the roof.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon expressed frustration after inspecting a section of the Maharlika Highway in Quezon on Friday, January 16.

“It seems like many tried to rush the repairs here. We don’t want patchy work,” he told reporters during a short break from his inspection, pointing out potholes on the highway, some of which had been poorly repaired with sand and asphalt.

“If they did it thinking I would be pleased, then the effect is quite the opposite. This is not what President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. meant when he ordered to fix the Maharlika Highway,” Dizon said.

“We will do this correctly and quickly.”

Dizon covered various parts of the highway, starting from the Lopez Viaduct and moving through several towns in Quezon and Camarines Sur, examining bridges and road conditions.

While inspecting Mauca Bridge in Lupi, he reacted with dismay as the bridge swayed under the weight of a passing truck.

Later, at a press conference in Camarines Sur, Dizon announced the suspension of ongoing repair projects on the Maharlika Highway in Quezon and Bicol.

He said that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is preparing a more effective plan for the road network.

“We decided to pause all projects related to the Maharlika Highway as we consolidate funding,” he said.

He reassured that more substantial funding is expected for these segments, including savings from the 2025 budget of the DPWH.

Dizon highlighted the Maharlika Highway as a top priority for PBBM, saying, “We plan to start work immediately after this inspection, and we will ensure it is done right.”

Public response on social media was positive, with many expressing gratitude. One commenter, Pamela Constantino, said, “Thank you, Sec. Vince, may you be guided to improve our country’s infrastructure.”

Another, Ronald Libanan Orale, even offered to help monitor the road conditions in the Samar area.

“Madaming ganyan Sec. If need nyo ng third party monitoring sa Samar na Maharlika Highway, tap us sa Samar State University. I’ll be happy to volunteer,” Orale said.

The Maharlika Highway, also known as the Asian Highway 26 (AH26), is an important road network in the Philippines that connects major islands from Luzon to Mindanao.

Built mainly during Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s presidency, it stretches about 3,517 kilometers and plays a crucial role in the country’s transportation system. (PIA Bicol)

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon holds onto the railing of Mauca Bridge as the bridge in Lupi, Camarines Sur, sways under the weight of a passing truck. (Screen grab from the Department of Public Works and Highways video)