The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to launch the full-scale rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway in June, targeting to complete long-stalled upgrades and eliminate persistent road hazards along the country’s main transport artery.

At a media briefing on Monday, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the Maharlika Highway rehabilitation will combine emergency repairs completed ahead of Holy Week with a long-term upgrade using modern technology and international standards. 

“After Holy Week, we will begin the long-term rehabilitation plan. There will be large-scale bidding, sometime around April to May, and our regional directors are preparing the plans for the long-term rehabilitation of the most problematic areas of Maharlika Highway,” Dizon said.

“By early March, we will be visiting the third segment of Maharlika Highway in Mindanao. We need to fix it properly. I will inspect Quezon, Bicol, and parts of Samar during or before Holy Week to ensure there are no obstructions and that damaged roads are adequately repaired,” he added.

The DPWH will prioritize the most problematic segments in Quezon, Bicol, Samar, and parts of Mindanao, ensuring inspections and repairs are completed before and during the holiday period.

To date, preparatory repairs are underway to ensure smooth travel for motorists during the holiday season. 

Following a policy shift post-flood control fiasco, the DPWH said the rehabilitation will be offered only to the country’s largest contractors.

Early this year, the DPWH said it initially plans to spend at least P16 billion to rehabilitate the Maharlika Highway.

“There’s no final cost yet, but I think the minimum is about P16 billion. That’s the initial figure I saw, but it could increase. A significant amount of spending is required for Maharlika (because) it stretches from North Luzon to Mindanao. It’s really in bad shape,” Dizon said earlier.

The Maharlika Highway—also known as the Pan-Philippine Highway—stretches over 3,300 kilometers, linking Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao through a network of roads, expressways, bridges, and Ro-Ro routes. 

Despite its critical role in connecting the country, the highway has not undergone major rehabilitation since it was completed in the late 1970s.