CAMARINES NORTE — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reportedly intensified its work on the national highway in Camarines Norte, a region long criticized for its deteriorating road conditions. According to local reports, crews are now working at full capacity to repair and rehabilitate stretches of the highway that have been neglected for years.

Observers and local officials question why the true state of the road was not openly acknowledged earlier. “Why hide the real condition of the national highway?” a local advocate asked, highlighting a pattern seen in infrastructure management: while road projects are celebrated once completed, the chronic neglect that allowed conditions to worsen often goes unreported.

The situation in Camarines Norte underscores a broader issue in public infrastructure governance. Roads are more than concrete and asphalt—they are lifelines for commerce, education, and access to healthcare. Delayed maintenance not only inconveniences motorists but also affects the safety, productivity, and quality of life of residents. When the true state of infrastructure is obscured, it delays accountability, planning, and preventive action.

DPWH’s renewed efforts may be commendable, but the episode invites reflection: are repairs reactive rather than proactive? And more importantly, how many other roads in the country suffer in silence, their neglect hidden from the public eye? As Camarines Norte sees renewed construction efforts, the question remains: Shouldn’t transparency about infrastructure conditions be the first step before any rehabilitation work? (Larawan: DZGB / Facebook)