DPWH Bicol: Duterte Highway Project in Albay Now 61% Complete

The ongoing construction of the Daraga Urban Tourism Eco Route or Duterte Highway Project is now 61-percent complete.

"The links from the project to the national secondary roads within Albay's second legislative district under the Duterte Highway Project is now 61.15-percent complete," Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol Director Virgilio Eduarte said.

Eduarte, together with DPWH Senior Undersecretary Rafael Yabut and Assistant Secretary Eugenio Pipo inspected the civil works of the project early this month.

"To date, PHP425 million from the total estimated cost of PHP1.793 billion was released for the project with a total accomplishment of 61.15 percent. Initial funding was from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2018 & 2019," Eduarte added.

The project is expected to be completed by December 2021.

The Duterte Highway, better known as the Daang Maharlika, has a total road length of 4.216 kilometers. It is considered as a mega project traversing the villages of Busay, Cullat, Banag, Binitayan, Kilikao, Tagas, Malubago in Daraga Albay and Brgy. Bogtong near Yawa river in Legazpi City.

"The project has a high potential to improve the economic activities and promote the eco-socio-tourism in Daraga and Legazpi City," he noted.

With this project, motorists and commuters can opt for an alternate road which can also help to decongest traffic situation and decrease the volume of vehicles along the national roads in the municipality of Daraga and other neighboring towns.

"The project will also serve as a flood control structure. It is designed to protect the lives of the constituents and properties from the effect of major floods especially during rainy season," Eduarte added.

The project includes the construction of a four-lane road dike that would traverse along Yawa River System, a 50-meter parking area for every 200-meter distance, a cycling/jogging lanes, viewing decks equipped with water and sanitation facilities, solar-powered lighting facilities, and complete traffic safety devices.

The Duterte Highway Project is part of the 'Build, Build, Build' program of the national government designed to modernize the infrastructure development in the countryside.