To stem billions in economic losses, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the immediate asphalting of the Bukidnon detour road, with work scheduled to start this Friday, Jan. 16. 

Following a site inspection on Wednesday where he deemed the preliminary construction satisfactory, Dizon directed that the 466-meter strip be paved and ready for cargo trucks, buses, and light vehicles by Sunday, Jan. 18 — weather permitting.

"The good news is that vehicular traffic is now normalized," Dizon told reporters in Barangay Palacapao, Quezon town.

Funding for the asphalt overlay will be drawn from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region Quick Reaction Fund.

Weekend night work scheduled

The rush to pave the road comes 88 days after a massive mudslide collapsed a portion of the highway on Oct. 18, a tragedy that claimed the lives of an elderly couple riding a "bao-bao." Since then, the disruption has been costly.

To minimize further inconvenience during the paving process, the work will be strictly an overnight operation. 

"The contractor was told to start work at 10pm and allow passage of vehicles by lane so as not to hinder traffic," said Novie Cabrido, DPWH-10 information officer.

Contract details and economic impact

Cabrido confirmed the department awarded two distinct contracts to expedite the project. 

A P20 million contract for asphalting was awarded to Suprea Philippines Development Corporation of Cebu. Meanwhile, the construction of the detour road itself was handled by JT Gamolo Construction of Barangay Bagong Taas, Valencia City.

In the contract signed Dec. 5, 2025, DPWH-10 Regional Director Lilibeth Aparcio awarded JT Gamolo P46.6 million. 

When asked about the slight variance between the appropriated funds and the contract price, Cabrido clarified the figures. 

"P46 million is the contract amount, but our office appropriated P48.5 million for the construction," Cabrido said.

The urgency of the project is underscored by staggering financial data. 

Regional economic planning and development officials estimated that traffic disruptions caused by the road collapse resulted in P14.07 billion in economic losses by Dec. 31, 2025. 

This figure represents a significant 1.1 percent drop in the Northern Mindanao regional gross domestic product.