The ongoing rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway will lead to significant savings in maintenance costs for public utility buses and other public utility vehicles (PUVs), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.

In a statement released January 18, LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza welcomed the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) plan, led by Secretary Vince Dizon, to undertake a massive repair of the country’s main highway, which serves as the primary route of passenger buses nationwide.

Mendoza said poor and uneven road conditions have long burdened transport operators with higher maintenance expenses, noting that improved roads will directly benefit bus operators, drivers, and other PUVs.

“Napakatagal nang inirereklamo ng mga bus operators ang sira-sira at bako-bakong mga daan sa probinsya. At noon pa man ay talagang sinasabi na natin na ang sira-sirang daan ay may matinding epekto sa mga transport operators dahil dagdag maintenance expenses ito,” Mendoza said.

The Maharlika Highway spans around 3,500 kilometers from northern Luzon to southern Mindanao and is also used by jeepneys, UV Express vehicles, and tricycles in the provinces.

The full rehabilitation is expected to cost at least P16 billion and is in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to maximize government services through nationwide infrastructure projects.

The LTFRB also said the repairs will enhance road safety, as poor road conditions remain a major cause of traffic accidents.

Aside from the Maharlika Highway, the DPWH is also rehabilitating EDSA and the Andaya Highway, a key route to the Bicol Region and the Visayas.

“We are looking forward to these repairs because we believe that this will have significant positive effects on the transport sector,” said Chairperson Mendoza.