FEBRUARY 4, 2026 — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now eyeing the country’s biggest contractors to take on the massive rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway, stretching from Cagayan all the way down to Mindanao. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon laid it out plainly: “Our plan here is we will pour all (rehabilitation funding for Maharlika Highway repair activities) into one (contract).”

At first glance, this sounds promising. After all, who wouldn’t want seasoned contractors handling a project of this scale, right? 

Dizon himself stressed, “We will not do it in small segments. Because that was what had been the cause of the problems we are facing now.” 

The logic? Bigger players, bigger accountability, faster results. 

But wait … haven’t we heard this tune before?

Remember the flood control scam? I bet nobody hasn’t forgotten that yet since it’s glaring at us in the face right now. Billions poured into projects, yet what did the public get? Substandard work, ghost projects, and contractors who walked away fattened while communities remained vulnerable. Now, with Maharlika Highway on the line, the question is, are we about to repeat history?

Yes, major contractors promise speed and quality. But when everything is bundled into one mega-contract, the stakes skyrocket. Who monitors them? Who ensures transparency? And most importantly, who protects the public from another round of overpriced, under-delivered infrastructure?

The presence of big names — Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan, acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, and Philippine Ports Authority GM Jay Santiago — at the announcement signals political weight behind the plan. But political weight doesn’t guarantee public trust. Not always.

We deserve roads that last, not roads that crumble after ribbon-cutting ceremonies. We deserve contractors who build for the people, not for their pockets. So before we cheer for “fast and quality” work, let’s ask: how will this be implemented and monitored so we don’t see a repeat of the nightmare we’re all going through right now?

Because if we don’t stay vigilant, Maharlika Highway could easily become another cautionary tale in the long list of government projects gone wrong.

Big contracts mean big responsibility, and we must demand nothing less than big accountability. Will accountability ride shotgun on this project — or get tossed out the window again once the money starts rolling?

(Image: Philippine Information Agency)