- DPWH XI, contractor finish construction after Bukidnon landslide
THE DAVAO-BUKIDNON Road in Sitio Kipolot, Barangay Palacapao, has been declared passable to all vehicles on Wednesday, Jan. 14, following a massive restoration effort that finished months ahead of schedule.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Senator Migz Zubiri led the inspection of the site, which previously collapsed due to poor drainage.
Zubiri noted that the closure resulted in economic losses of nearly P40 million daily due to disrupted agricultural trade and tourism.
“What was supposed to be eight months to one year was done in two months,” Zubiri told reporters. “This is a huge relief for our agricultural goods and tourism sector.”
Dizon confirmed that while the road is now open “full force,” asphalt paving will begin this Friday and is expected to be completed by Sunday.
To prevent a repeat of the collapse, a new drainage system has been installed to ensure water does not seep into the soil.
Local leaders emphasized that the road is more than just a local thoroughfare; it is a critical artery for national commerce.
With multinational companies and agricultural producers relying on the route, the two-month restoration prevented a localized infrastructure failure from becoming a long-term national economic crisis.
“This will reopen the economic link that was cut between the two regions of Northern and Southern Mindanao. As NEDA pointed out, the problem here involves billions of pesos in losses, which translates to job losses and massive expenses. This is why it is very important that the road opened today,” Quezon Mayor Pablo Lorenzo III said in an interview on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
The chief executive also praised the contractor and the DPWH for the speed of work.
“When the [original estimate] said five months, that perhaps included the concrete paving. They were able to do it [in two months] because they worked on it almost 24 hours a day,” the mayor added.
Bukidnon Governor Neil Roque echoed Lorenzo’s sentiments, saying he is “overjoyed” that the DPWH overdelivered on its promise to finish construction in five months.
“This is significant because the closure had a huge effect not just on the province of Bukidnon, but on the whole Philippines, since everyone passes through here. Even the operations of multinational corporations were affected, and they pay taxes to our national government. This is a national issue, not just a provincial one, so I am very happy the DPWH finished it,” he said.
“I believe prime movers (heavy trucks) can now pass. This is only the first phase of the DPWH project; the next phase is asphalting to ensure a smooth drive. If we leave it as it is, the road will become rugged and full of potholes once the rainy season begins,” Roque added.
Photo from Quezon LGU
