Stalled Leyte bypass and flood mitigation work resumes
Regional Public Works officials said overall progress reached 42.3 percent based on total project costs as of July 2026.
Regional Public Works officials said overall progress reached 42.3 percent based on total project costs as of July 2026.
PALO, Leyte — Construction will resume on a stalled P4.445-billion infrastructure project connecting Tacloban City and Palo after work was delayed by a scandal involving flood control developments, Public Works officials said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office in Eastern Visayas announced that remaining funding for the Tacloban-Palo Diversion Road and Drainage System Project will be targeted starting in 2027 to finish construction.
The 3.232-kilometer, four-lane concrete highway is designed to ease severe traffic congestion at the Bureau of Internal Revenue junction, where Daang Maharlika, the Tacloban-Baybay South Road, and Government Center Road intersect.
Each lane will measure 3.35 meters wide, and the finished roadway will feature bike lanes, sidewalks, a service road, solar streetlights and safety devices.
Starting at the Tide Embankment Project in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, the bypass will extend to Barangay Campetic along Daang Maharlika in Palo, Leyte.
Beyond improving transportation, the project is intended to mitigate flooding in nearby communities, including Barangay Caibaan, V&G Subdivision, Imelda Subdivision and Barangay Marasbaras, while opening commercial access to idle wetland areas long affected by schistosomiasis-hosting snails.
Government records show P2.332 billion has been released so far under general appropriations from 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025. These funds cover completed sections and active construction sites.
Regional Public Works officials said overall progress reached 42.3 percent based on total project costs as of July 2026. Crews have completed 0.756 kilometers of the road, with an additional 1.256 kilometers currently under construction.
