BY: CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN, SR.
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur – The completion of the 122-kilometer rehabilitation project for the Maharlika National Highway in Agusan del Sur is expected to be finished before the start of Palarong Pambansa 2026, scheduled for the summer of next year.
Agusan del Sur will host the 2026 national games, with the DO Plaza Datu Lipus Makapandong Sports Complex serving as the main venue.
The complex has undergone significant upgrades, including a world-class, Olympic-size rubberized track and field oval, a football field, a swimming pool, air-conditioned courts, and a 3,000-seat grandstand.
“It is doable, as far as my observation is concerned,” assured Engr. Ben Alden Serna, District Engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 2nd Engineering District in Agusan del Sur, during an interview with Jun Sahay, reporter for the provincial government-run DXGP 89.7 FM radio.
“At least there is significant improvement in the rehabilitation works,” he added, expressing hope that fair weather conditions in the province will persist without interruption, especially before the onset of the rainy season in December this year.
To ensure that the project remains on track for completion, Serna explained that the DPWH will temporarily halt road widening in areas requiring embankment works.
The DPWH Caraga Regional Office in Butuan City, which is overseeing the project, has yet to release an updated percentage on its overall accomplishment.
The highway rehabilitation has faced significant public criticism, particularly from netizens and motorists, due to the highway’s deteriorating condition and delays in repair works.
Motorists traveling between Trento and Rosario have raised concerns about the highway’s condition, citing potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces, which pose significant risks, especially during the rainy season when roads are more susceptible to erosion and further damage.
There have been no reports from the DPWH Caraga regarding the progress of the Trento to Sibagat Maharlika Highway road sections, particularly the deteriorated stretch from Trento to Rosario towns.
Engr. Pol delos Santos, the DPWH Caraga Regional Director, during his presentation at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas program on May 28 last year in Butuan City, only mentioned the completion of the Lipata Port in Surigao City to Trento town in Agusan del Sur rehabilitation works.
The 264-kilometer road rehabilitation project, with a total project cost of ₱24.4 billion, has been completed at just 9.24% so far during the Kapihan presentation. According to de los Santos, the project, which began in February 2023, is expected to be finished by December 2028.
This rehabilitation effort is part of a broader P3.19-billion initiative to improve the 122-kilometer stretch of the highway, which is a vital link in the national road network connecting Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The ongoing rehabilitation efforts include a series of improvements such as preventive maintenance, asphalt overlaying, major repairs, road and bridge widening, concrete reblocking, and the installation of road safety measures like pavement markings and signage.
Despite the ongoing challenges, local officials are optimistic that the roadwork will be completed in time to support the smooth flow of traffic for the Palarong Pambansa 2026 and future commuters.
Caption:
A recent aerial photo from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) highlights the ongoing asphalt overlay in Trento, Agusan del Sur. This project aims to improve road conditions and enhance travel safety.
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