The department of public works and highways in northern mindanao announced a more than p46 million detour near a collapsed highway section linking cagayan de oro, bukidnon, and davao to open in january 2026. This follows an october landslide that killed an elderly couple and severed traffic between northern mindanao and davao regions. The disruption is causing estimated economic losses of at least p187 million daily.
In october, heavy rains triggered a landslide on a section of the national highway in sitio kipolot, barangay palacapao, quezon town, bukidnon, killing an elderly couple on a tricycle. The incident severed a critical link between northern mindanao and davao regions, severely impacting the local economy.
Mylah faye aurora cariño, director of the department of economy, planning, and development, estimated daily losses at p187 million, equivalent to 1.19% of northern mindanao’s gross regional domestic product. If the disruption persists until december 31, losses could reach p14 billion, potentially climbing to p48.1 billion without full rehabilitation by june 30, 2026.
Novie cabrido, dpwh-x information officer, stated on december 15 that the 460-linear meter four-lane detour, costing p46.6 million from the dpwh quick response fund, is 65% complete. “Currently our engineers are correcting the grade of the road surface. By january there will be only minor activities to finish the project,” she said. Though not yet cemented, the detour will be passable for heavy trucks and vehicles.
Public works secretary vince dizon ordered the project post-collapse, giving engineers 45 days to complete it and alleviate burdens on truckers. A separate dpwh diversion handles small and light vehicles, while larger trucks face detours adding 60 to 100 kilometers, incurring p132 million in extra travel and logistics costs. Local farmers and vegetable vendors suffer p55 million daily from double handling, spoilage, and delays.