DPWH completes Marcos Highway road slip repair ahead of Undas
A previously damaged section of Marcos Highway in Barangay Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet has been reopened to motorists ahead of the Undas travel rush, according to Public Works Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez.
Lopez inspected the ongoing repair works and said the reopening fulfills commitments made by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to restore normal traffic flow in the area, which had been operating on a one-way scheme since 2025.
“Kung maalala ninyo, nitong nakaraang Mayo 2026, binisita po ito ni Secretary Vince Dizon. At talagang inatasan niya si RD (regional director) at si DE (district engineer) na ayusin na po itong problema dito,” Lopez said.
“Kasi since 2025 po, one way lang po ang nagagamit dito at laking perwisyo po sa mga taong nakatira dito, hindi lang po doon sa mga bumabiyahe po dito,” he added.
The DPWH chief said the change in leadership within the agency would not affect ongoing projects and commitments made to the public.
“Ang utos talaga ng Pangulo, kung ano man yung commitment po ni Secretary Vince, kung ano mga proyekto na nabinbin, kailangan na ipagpatuloy lang,” Lopez said.
“Yung commitment na yun ay hindi lang po commitment sa Pangulo, hindi lang po commitment kay Secretary Vince, but higit sa lahat, commitment po yun sa taong bayan.”
According to Lopez, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed government agencies to complete urgent road repairs before the observance of Undas.
“May utos din ang Pangulo na lahat na sana yung mga urgent major road repairs kailangan matapos po ng October 30 para magamit ngayong Undas,” he said.
“Pinabuksan na po ng ating Pangulo itong kalsadang ito, 6 p.m. last night, para magamit na rin po ng ating taong bayan, ng ating komunidad.”
Lopez also commended local DPWH officials for meeting their target timetable and said they would be held accountable for commitments made to the public.
“Nung sinabi po nila RD Edith [Babaran], sinabi din po ng DE, nakakayanin nila sa limang buwan, we’re going to hold them on their commitment,” he said.
The secretary assured motorists and residents that the agency would continue closely monitoring infrastructure projects across the country.
“Makakaasa po kayo na patuloy rin po natin talagang tututukan lahat ng proyekto ng DPWH tulad po nito,” Lopez said.
“Kung ano po yung mga na-commit po ni Secretary Vince at ng ating Pangulo, ay tutuparin naman po natin yan.”
Lopez likewise vowed to inspect other ongoing road projects in Benguet, including areas near Ambuklao and along the Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road, to help speed up their completion.
“Madami pa rin pong mga proyekto na ongoing at yun naman ay kailangan tutukan natin,” he said.
“Ang parating utos ng ating Pangulo, kailangan bilisan ang mga proyektong ganito para kahit papaano ay mapakinabangan na rin po ng taong bayan,” he added.