A grinding two-kilometer gridlock in Quezon, Bukidnon, has sparked a standoff over construction speed, with local officials pushing for round-the-clock work while contractors cite manpower shortages.
The bottleneck at Sitio Kipolot, Barangay Palacapao, has become a critical economic choke point.
A study by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPdev) in Region 10 warns that if the main highway repair isn't completed by June 30, 2026, the region faces a staggering P48.19 billion in economic losses.
Quezon Mayor Poling Lorenzo met with officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 10 and the contractor, JT Gamolo Construction Inc., to address the issue.
Mayor Lorenzo appealed for 24/7 construction on the unfinished road culvert to ease the burden on travelers.
However, JT Gamolo Construction is operating strictly from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. due to limited manpower.
DPWH Region 10 Information Officer Novie Cabrido said the contractor has fielded additional workers to meet a target completion deadline set for the second or third week of January 2026.
The P46.6 million, four-lane detour was constructed after a landslide on Oct. 18, 2025, collapsed a portion of the arterial highway linking Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, and Davao.
The DPWH recommends alternative routes, but these come at a steep price, adding 60 to 100 kilometers to the trip and P132 million in daily costs for truckers.
