BARAS, PALO, LEYTE — The Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office VIII (DPWH RO8) has reassured the public that construction of the 2.550-kilometer Tacloban City Causeway Project will proceed, with comprehensive regulatory assessments underway to resolve current contractual and site-level challenges.
Contract Audits and Coordination Resolve Site Obstructions
The multi-contract infrastructure project relies on multi-year General Appropriations Act (GAA) funding across Fiscal Years 2022, 2024, and 2026:
Contract Status Overview: Out of eight total project contracts, one FY 2022 contract is fully completed, six have been terminated, and one active contract is under temporary suspension due to utility alignment conflicts.
Inter-Agency Obstruction Resolution: DPWH RO8 is coordinating directly with the Leyte Electric Cooperatives (LEYECO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to relocate electric posts and perimeter fences obstructing the airport access road, clearing the way for resumed paving.
Joint COA Inventory and Re-Bidding: The Commission on Audit (COA) will conduct a joint inventory inspection across terminated contract areas to validate physical accomplishments, establishing the baseline for future funding requests and project re-bidding.
Structural Preservation: Regional maintenance teams are actively preserving completed works to safeguard structural integrity and prevent material degradation during the auditing phase.
Key Coastal Transport Link Enhances Regional Mobility and Safety
Designed to cross Cancabato Bay, the landmark causeway serves as both a vital transportation corridor and a coastal defense structure:
Drastic Airport Transit Reduction: Connecting Tacloban City Hall directly to the Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport in Barangay San Jose, the causeway will reduce downtown-to-airport travel times to 5–10 minutes.
Integrated Storm Surge Protection: The elevated road embankment provides an essential protective barrier against destructive storm surges and coastal hazards associated with major typhoons.
Regulatory Compliance Focus: DPWH RO8 reaffirmed its commitment to observing all technical, environmental, and regulatory requirements alongside municipal partners to ensure long-term regional benefits for Eastern Visayas.
