CALBAYOG CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is aiming to complete the long-awaited rehabilitation of the Daang Maharlika, the country’s primary north–south highway, before the end of 2027, with heavily damaged sections in Samar and other parts of Eastern Visayas.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon announced the target timeline during a two-day inspection visit to Samar on Sunday and Monday, saying the Marcos administration has already lined up funding for the project under the proposed 2026 national budget, with additional allocations set for the succeeding fiscal year.

Dizon said savings from the 2025 national budget would also be used to fast-track the rehabilitation of the highway, which has long been criticized for its deteriorating condition in several regions.

“Before the end of 2027, we hope to rehabilitate a large portion of the Daang Maharlika—from Luzon to Mindanao—especially the sections that are repeatedly damaged,” Dizon said in a media interview in Calbayog City on Monday, Feb.2.

He emphasized that the massive road rehabilitation will be financed entirely through government funds, assuring the public that no foreign loans will be tapped for the project.
“These are local funds. We are not borrowing from foreign banks,” he said.

The Daang Maharlika, also known as the Pan-Philippine Highway, stretches more than 3,279 kilometers across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao and serves as a crucial backbone for inter-island trade, tourism, and daily mobility. In Eastern Visayas, the highway spans 395.52 kilometers, including 205.75 kilometers in Samar province, where some of the most severely damaged portions are located.

Despite the scope of the undertaking, Dizon did not disclose the total cost of rehabilitating the entire highway network.

The DPWH chief said the rehabilitation of the Daang Maharlika is among the flagship infrastructure priorities of the Marcos administration, citing its strategic role in linking regions and supporting economic activity.

To ensure faster and more efficient completion, Dizon said the DPWH plans to award the project to major contractors instead of smaller ones, noting that piecemeal rehabilitation by multiple small contractors often results in delays and uneven road quality.

“Our commitment to local leaders and even to the bishops is to engage large contractors, not small ones, so the work will not be done in fragmented sections,” he said.
During his inspection in Samar, Dizon observed that some road repair works were being handled by small contractors, which he said posed safety risks due to the absence of proper warning signs and barriers.

“There were no warning signs, no barriers, and construction materials were just left on the roads, which can cause accidents,” he said.

Dizon added that based on his inspection from the Bicol Region to Eastern Visayas, only about 30 percent of the Daang Maharlika could be classified as severely damaged, underscoring the need for focused yet comprehensive rehabilitation.

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan welcomed Dizon’s visit, saying the province has long awaited sustained national attention to the condition of the highway.

“This is the first time that a DPWH Secretary actually inspected and visited the Daang Maharlika,” Tan said, adding that the road network is vital to Samar’s economy, connectivity, and tourism growth.

As part of his visit, Dizon conducted an on-site road inspection aboard a bus traversing the Maharlika Highway, starting from the Bicol Region and continuing through Eastern Visayas, to personally assess the condition of the national road network.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY– National ID registration in Eastern Visayas continues at full pace in 2026, highlighting the region’s strong commitment to building a reliable, inclusive, and accessible identification system for all Filipinos.

The Philippine Statistics Authority – Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (PSA RSSO 8) reports that as of November 2025, a total of 4.29 million individuals in Eastern Visayas have already registered under the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

This milestone reflects the sustained efforts of PSA, in partnership with local government units and community stakeholders, to bring National ID services closer to the people.

Beginning January 19, 2026, registration activities continue through PSA’s Fixed Registration Centers (FRCs) operating across the six provinces of the region. In addition, mobile registration teams are being deployed in selected and hard-to-reach municipalities to ensure broader coverage and improved accessibility.

Special attention is given to unregistered individuals, particularly senior citizens, persons with disabilities, indigent families, and residents of geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. These initiatives aim to ensure that no one is left behind in the national identification program.

PSA Fixed Registration Centers (FRCs) remain open to provide other essential PhilSys services. These include updating personal records, correction of demographic information, replacement of lost or damaged National IDs, and assistance in tracking the delivery status of issued IDs.

Continuous coordination with local government units further strengthens community-based registration efforts and information dissemination.

The PSA encourages all unregistered residents of Eastern Visayas to take advantage of these ongoing services. The National ID serves as a valid proof of identity and supports easier access to government programs, social services, and financial transactions.
For inquiries and further information, please visit the PSA’s official website at www.psa.gov.ph or contact our office at (053) 839-1884 or rsso08@psa.gov.ph. (PR)

PALO, Leyte — Police authorities in Eastern Visayas are appealing to the public to help curb the proliferation of smuggled cigarettes being sold in small retail stores, following a series of operations that led to the seizure of nearly P2 million worth of illegal tobacco products across the region.

In the past several days, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) confiscated smuggled cigarettes in Leyte, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Biliran, highlighting the extent of the illegal trade in both urban and remote areas.

Col. Hector Enage, chief of PRO-8’s Regional Operations Division, said the affordability of smuggled cigarettes—often sold at around P5 per stick—has contributed to their widespread distribution, particularly in far-flung communities.

“These smuggled cigarettes are cheaper compared to commercial brands, making them more accessible even to minors who are already into smoking,” Enage said during a media conference on Monday, February 2. “That is why we are appealing to parents and store owners to immediately report the presence of these illegal products to authorities.”
Based on police investigations, Enage said most of the confiscated cigarettes were found in remote areas, making enforcement efforts more challenging.

“We have strengthened our campaign with the support of other government law enforcement agencies to address this problem,” he added.

PRO-8 records show that police units in the region have conducted at least 12 anti-smuggling operations, resulting in the arrest of 10 individuals and the seizure of illegal cigarettes with a total estimated market value of P1.95 million.

The suspects were charged for violations related to the non-payment of excise or stamp taxes, among other offenses.

Police said the smuggled cigarettes were believed to have originated from another Asian country and entered the Philippines through so-called “backdoor” channels before being distributed within the region.

Meanwhile, PRO-8 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy said the volume and value of the seized items reflect the police force’s firm resolve to combat the illegal cigarette trade in Eastern Visayas.

“The volume and value of these confiscated items clearly show our determination to prevent Eastern Visayas from being used as a transit or distribution point for smuggled goods,” Capoy said. “We will sustain our intensified operations in close coordination with our partner agencies.”

(JOEY A. GABIETA)