Marcos eyes faster travel, stronger economy through Maharlika Highway rehabilitation

President Marcos on Friday, June 5, inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway in Samar, saying the project will improve connectivity, reduce transport costs, and spur economic opportunities across the country. The President visited the road rehabilitation site in Pinabacdao, Samar, where he underscored the importance of ensuring the quality of the project, one of the government’s major infrastructure initiatives. “Sa loob ng maraming taon, naging bahagi na ng biyahe ang pag-iwas sa mga lubak sa Maharlika Highway (For many years, avoiding potholes has been part of traveling along the Maharlika Highway),” he said in a social media post. “Hindi dapat ganito (It should not be this way),” he added. According to the President, the Maharlika Highway serves a greater purpose than simply connecting roads. “Ang Maharlika Highway ay higit pa sa isang kalsada. Mula Ilocos hanggang Zamboanga, pinagdudugtong nito ang ating mga pulo bilang isang bansa (The Maharlika Highway is more than just a road. From Ilocos to Zamboanga, it connects our islands as one nation.) Shorter travel time The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said travel time between Tacloban City and Catbalogan City is expected to be reduced from three hours to only one hour and 45 minutes once the rehabilitation is completed in August. The project is expected to improve interconnectivity and speed up the movement of people and goods in Eastern Visayas. “Kaya tinitiyak nating maayos at de-kalidad ang rehabilitasyon nito upang maging mas ligtas, mas mabilis at mas maayos ang biyahe ng ating mga kababayan (That is why we are ensuring that its rehabilitation is done properly and to high standards so that travel will be safer, faster, and more convenient for our fellow Filipinos),” President Marcos said. Lower transport costs The President said the improved highway will also help bring down transportation costs while facilitating the movement of agricultural products and other goods. “Ito ay magpapababa ng gastos sa transportasyon, magpapabilis ng paggalaw ng mga produkto at magpapadali sa pagpunta ng mga pamilya sa mga paaralan at ospital (This will reduce transportation costs, speed up the movement of goods, and make it easier for families to reach schools and hospitals),” he said. The Palace said the upgraded road network is also expected to improve logistics for farmers and entrepreneurs, helping boost economic activity in the region. Better disaster response Aside from economic benefits, the government said the rehabilitated highway will strengthen disaster response capabilities in Eastern Visayas. According to the PCO, safer and more reliable roads will allow relief and recovery operations to move more efficiently during calamities. The administration said the project forms part of broader efforts to improve national infrastructure, strengthen regional connectivity, and expand access to essential services such as education and healthcare.