Japan-based Katahira and Engineers International is checking the deteriorating sections of the Pan-Philippine Highway in Leyte and Samar Islands for possible foreign funding, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here said on Thursday.
DPWH Eastern Visayas head Edgar Tabacon said consultants from Katahira accompanied by personnel from the DPWH-Unified Project Management Office have been inspecting the 395.16-kilometer stretch from Allen, Northern Samar to San Ricardo, Southern Leyte since the third week of October to check the condition of roads and bridges.
The port in Allen is the region’s exit point from Luzon while the port in San Ricardo is the region’s exit point to Mindanao.
“The whole stretch of the road as well as components of bridges are subject to assessment if there’s a need to replace or widen. It will be financed by foreign institutions,” Tabacon said.
He added that Katahira is expected to come up with their report within the month.
Foreign funds are needed since the national budget, he said, is not enough to rehabilitate the deteriorating road, especially in Samar province.
For 2022, the Pan-Philippine Highway in Samar gets a PHP428 million allotment for rehabilitation within the 109.71-kilometer damaged section.
In 2023, the highway will get another PHP1.38 billion outlay from the national government.
Of the 109.71-kilometer road stretch, about 41 kilometers have been identified for reconstruction in 2022 and 2023 while 32.37 kilometers need preventive maintenance for two years.
The road from Northern Samar to Southern Leyte is within the country’s nautical highway that connects Luzon to Mindanao.
Source: Philippines News Agency