PALO, Leyte — The road connecting the three Samar provinces, once a stronghold of insurgency in Eastern Visayas, is nearing completion, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reporting significant progress.

The DPWH-Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO) announced on Friday that the construction of the Catumsan-Jipapad-Las Navas-Catubig-Rawis Road is now 72.55 percent complete.

District Engineer Arthur Eric Sabong said the project aims to improve road connectivity for remote barangays in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar, boost economic growth and improve access to essential services.

The region, which includes Jipapad in Eastern Samar, Las Navas in Northern Samar and Matuguinao in Samar, was previously known for its rugged terrain and dense forests, providing shelter to insurgents of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Sabong emphasized that once finished, the road project will stimulate economic activity, making it easier for farmers to transport goods to markets. It will also boost tourism, promote peace and order, and address long-standing insurgency challenges.

The project involves concreting 1,635 meters of road and constructing 275 meters of slope protection. The total allocation for the project is P81,206,000 from the General Appropriations Act of 2024.

“Students will have easier access to schools, and residents in remote areas will gain quicker access to medical facilities, ultimately improving their quality of life,” Sabong said.

This project is part of a 16.640-kilometer road network between Jipapad and Las Navas. As of 2023, 13.825 kilometers have been completed, with 1.635 kilometers scheduled for completion in FY 2024 and 1.180 kilometers planned for FY 2025.