The Department of Public Works and Highways in the Caraga Region (DPWH-13) has put forward a budget request of PHP4 billion for the year 2025 to further the rehabilitation efforts on the Daang Maharlika Road. This vital project, which aims to enhance connectivity between Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, is expected to be completed by December 2028. The road stretches across Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and the Davao Region.
Pol Delos Santos, the outgoing Regional Director of DPWH-13, announced that the total cost for the rehabilitation of the Daang Maharlika Road is estimated at PHP29.4 billion. So far, PHP6.8 billion has been allocated and utilized from 2023 to 2024. Delos Santos, who is set to become the DPWH assistant secretary in December, emphasized that the majority of the upcoming work will focus on the Agusan del Sur section of the road.
In addition to the Daang Maharlika project, Delos Santos highlighted other significant road developments in the region. The Agusan del Norte—Bukidnon Road, costing PHP3.1 billion and implemented from 2015 to 2024, is scheduled to open in December. This road will significantly reduce travel time between Buenavista in Agusan del Norte and Impasug-ong in Bukidnon by three to four hours. The road includes two 150-meter bridges and a 260-meter slope protection structure.
Other ongoing projects in Caraga include the Cabadbaran—Putting Bato—Lanuza Road, which is 43.5 percent complete with a total cost of PHP8.5 billion and PHP4.2 billion already released. This project aims to decrease travel time between Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. The Butuan City—Agusan del Norte Logistical Highway, costing PHP26.2 million, is 15.4 percent complete as of November. Additionally, the Agusan del Norte—Agusan del Sur South Lateral Road, with a total cost of PHP16.5 billion, is 8.45 percent complete.
Delos Santos stressed that these infrastructure projects are a testament to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration’s dedication to enhancing regional connectivity and fostering economic growth.