Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon wants the immediate rehabilitation of the Andaya Highway ahead of the Holy Week, aiming to ensure smoother and congestion-free travel during the Lenten season—one of the year’s peak periods for motorists and commuters.
Dizon, along with several members of the media, traveled on the Maharlika Highway on Friday, January 16, and stopped in several towns along the Andaya Highway to personally inspect the severely pothole-ridden sections that have long been a source of hardship for motorists plying the route of Manila to Bicol and to the adjacent provinces.
“I told them they have to finish before holy week. Kaya yong sinasabi nilang before end of April- unacceptable yon kasi madami ang dadaan sa mahal na araw,” Dizon said.
(I told them they have to finish before Holy Week. What they’re saying—that it will be done before the end of April—is unacceptable because many people will be traveling during Holy Week.)
The DPWH Secretary said he felt the need to personally assess the actual condition of the Andaya Highway after 3rd District Congressman Nelson Legacion described it as a “worsening road network” during his privilege speech at the Congress on November 25.
Part of Legacion’s speech said that the Andaya Highway, “is not just a regional issue but a national and economic crisis.’ He further stated that “infrastructure is the undisputed backbone of our economy and the current state of Bicol roads threatens to shatter it.”
Combined with other complaints his office had received, this prompted him to visit the area himself to see firsthand the challenges motorists face along the road.
“Importante na makita natin yong totoong sitwasyon kasi mahirap gumawa ng solusyon na hindi natin mismo nararanasan yong ganon na nararanasan ng mga kababayan natin , sa tulong po ni Cong Nelson, Gov. LRay, Gov Rosal, lahat po ibang opisyal para po talaga masolusyunan natin once and for all ang malaking problema sa Maharlika saka sa sa Andaya,” Dizon added.
(It is important for us to see the real situation because it is difficult to come up with solutions if we do not personally experience what our fellow Filipinos are going through. With the help of Congressman Nelson, Governor LRay, Governor Rosal, and all other officials, we are working to finally resolve, once and for all, the major problems along the Maharlika and Andaya highways.)
He said that President Ferdinand Marcos directed him to come up with a permanent solution to the Andaya Highway problem.
“The directive of the president is clear. We are here to fix this, not just a temporary but a lasting solution. Kabilin bilinan nya simula ng Bagong Taon , na talagang once and for all, ayusin na, so talagang
legacy poi to ni PBBM, at talaga pong inutusan nya akong pumunta ditto para tignan ang totoong problema at para hanpan at gawan natin ng matagalang solusyon hindi yong aayusin natin ngayon tapos gagawin na naman sa susunod na taon, e tama na po iyon,” Dizon stated.
(Since the start of the New Year, he has repeatedly reminded us that this must be fixed once and for all. This will truly be part of President Bongbong Marcos’ legacy. He personally instructed me to come here to see the real problem and to find and implement a long-term solution—not something that will be repaired now only to be redone again next year. Enough is enough.)
Monalyn Rafa, a 28-year-old mother of three children from Barangay Rizal, Tagcawayan, Quezon, is grateful that a high-ranking government official visited the area. She is hopeful that this time, the commuters will finally escape from the nightmare of endless re-blocking and chaotic traffic situations.
“Ipinanganak po ako na lubak-lubak na yang Andaya highway. Madaming nasisiraan ng sasakyan, maraming naaksidente. Laging nagkakabuhol buhol ang traffic lalo na pag peak season, gaya ng HolyWeek, Undas, New Year at Bagong Taon. Sana, this time, talagang magkaroon na ng malawakang rehabilitasyon,” Rafa said.
(I was born with the Andaya Highway already in a pothole-ridden condition. Many vehicles break down, several accidents happen, and traffic is always heavy—especially during peak seasons such as Holy Week, All Souls’ Day, and the New Year. Hopefully, this time, there will finally be a comprehensive rehabilitation.)
During his inspection, Dizon also observed several large trucks temporarily parked along the sides of the Andaya Highway as drivers stopped to rest for the night.
To address this, he said he would propose the construction of designated lay-bys—small paved roadside areas where vehicles can park safely without disrupting traffic flow.
As part of his Quezon leg, Dizon inspected the Lopez Viaduct along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Canda Ilaya, Calauag, and in Barangay Bagong Sirang, Tagkawayan, Quezon. In Bicol, he also visited Barangay Cabasag in Del Gallego, Barangay Cabutagan in Lupi, and Barangay Tapi in Sipocot, all in Camarines Sur.
Source: PIA Bicol