THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has set aside some P4.4-billion for the rehabilitation of the Surigao-Agusan and Agusan-Davao Sections of Daang Maharlika in the Caraga Region in Mindanao.
DPWH Region13 director Pol Delos Santos said 45 projects included in the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) aimed to improve the condition of the Daang Maharlika Road that starts from Barangay Lipata in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte and ends in Barangay Langkilaan in Trento, Agusan del Sur.
Agusan del Sur receives a significant portion of the budget for 29 projects costing P3.19 billion after careful study and identification of priority sections of Daang Maharlika needing improvements.
The DPWH Agusan del Sur First and Second District Engineering Offices (DEOs) will oversee the implementation of the 13 and 16 projects, respectively.
Meanwhile, the rest of the projects will cover the provinces of Agusan del Norte with six projects worth P456.78 million;
Surigao del Norte with seven projects worth P519.91 million; and, in Butuan City with three projects worth P275.34 million.
Delos Santos said the projects to be implemented by DPWH along the Daang Maharlika in Caraga ranged 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 signage.
DPWH gave assurance of swift and close monitoring of the projects, which were prioritized by the government due to its prominence of Daang Maharlika as a major trunkline in the Philippines.
“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,” Delos Santos added.