The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Tuesday it will hire only the country’s largest and most reputable contractors to ensure the fast and high-quality rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway.
The move follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to complete the highway’s rehabilitation within two years.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency will stop engaging small contractors for the project and will instead work with well-established firms to speed up construction and improve results. He described the Maharlika Highway as the country’s economic backbone.
Dizon said he has already spoken with major contractors and plans to meet them in the coming days. According to him, these companies have shown interest in helping with the President’s priority projects, especially the Maharlika Highway.
Also known as the Pan-Philippine Highway, the Maharlika Highway stretches more than 3,500 kilometers and connects Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. It is the country’s main route for transporting goods and people.
The government said rehabilitating key sections in Quezon province and the Bicol Region is crucial to improving regional connectivity. The upgrades are expected to support trade, boost tourism, and strengthen economic activity across the country.
