QUEZON PROVINCE — Motorists and residents in the eastern part of Quezon province continue to endure difficult travel conditions as the long-awaited rehabilitation of the Infanta–Nakar Road remains stalled due to the non-release of funds by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Despite being approved under the 2025 General Appropriations Act and successfully bid out as early as August 13, 2025, the project—particularly along the critical Comon–Banugao section—has yet to break ground.

Infanta Mayor L.A. Ruanto confirmed that while all documentary and bidding requirements have been completed, the DPWH central office has not released the necessary funding, effectively freezing the project. The delay has had a direct impact on daily commuters, traders, and residents who rely on the Infanta–Nakar Road as a vital link between coastal and upland communities.

In response, the local government has taken matters into its own hands. Mayor Ruanto appealed to citizens, private companies, and volunteers to help carry out temporary road repairs using available heavy equipment. Photos shared by the mayor, taken on December 10 and December 27, show ongoing road patching and compaction efforts supported by private sector partners through corporate social responsibility initiatives. While these stopgap measures offer short-term relief, they are far from a permanent solution.

The mayor also acknowledged the local government’s limitations, noting that Infanta currently lacks its own heavy equipment. To address this, portions of the 2025 municipal budget were reprogrammed to gradually acquire much-needed machinery. Ruanto said he has personally met twice with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to push for the immediate release of funds. Although the response from the DPWH leadership has been described as positive, the absence of concrete action from the central office continues to frustrate local officials and residents alike.

Beyond the immediate inconvenience, the situation highlights a deeper issue in national infrastructure governance: the disconnect between project approval and actual implementation. Roads like Infanta–Nakar are not mere development projects—they are lifelines that affect emergency response, economic activity, and public safety. The prolonged delay raises questions about bureaucratic bottlenecks and accountability within national agencies.

As the local government searches for temporary fixes, the broader discourse remains clear: timely fund release and efficient execution are just as important as project approval. Without these, even well-planned infrastructure risks becoming an unfulfilled promise, borne daily by the communities left navigating damaged roads. (Larawan: Quezon Provice News / Facebook)