PALO, LEYTE — Marking a major step forward for regional infrastructure and public safety, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Eastern Visayas regional office announced the resumption of the P4.445-billion Tacloban-Palo Diversion Road and flood mitigation project. Following temporary delays amid broader reviews of regional flood control initiatives, work is officially getting back underway to deliver essential transit relief and flood protection to vulnerable communities across Leyte.
Addressing Major Traffic Bottlenecks Between Tacloban and Palo
Spanning 3.232 kilometers, the multi-faceted road development will connect the Tide Embankment Project in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, directly to Barangay Campetic along Daang Maharlika in Palo. Designed to bypass high-density corridors, the completed route will significantly ease persistent congestion at the busy BIR junction, where Daang Maharlika, the Tacloban-Baybay South Road, and the Government Center Road converge. Modern structural features include a four-lane concrete highway, dedicated bike lanes, wide sidewalks, a secondary service road, solar streetlights, and comprehensive road safety installations.
Mitigating Flood Hazards and Health Risks in Low-Lying Communities
Beyond improving traffic flow, the project incorporates crucial drainage systems and flood control barriers designed to protect low-lying residential areas, including Barangay Caibaan, V&G Subdivision, Imelda Subdivision, and Barangay Marasbaras. By managing severe water buildup in nearby swampy terrain, the drainage interventions will also help eliminate breeding grounds for parasite-hosting snails, directly reducing the risk of schistosomiasis in neighboring neighborhoods.
Evaluating Budgetary Allocations and Long-Term Construction Timelines
With an overall project accomplishment rate of 42.30 percent as of July 2026, construction progress includes 0.756 kilometers of fully completed road and an additional 1.256 kilometers currently under active development. A total of P2.332 billion has been released to date through successive General Appropriations Acts from 2019 through 2025. With DPWH targeting additional funding beginning in 2027 to cover remaining phases, regional leadership remains committed to completing this critical artery to foster sustainable urban growth and climate resilience across Eastern Visayas.
