In a major move to bolster regional connectivity and economic momentum, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release PhP145.56 billion for the Central Mindanao High Standard Highway Project.
The multi-billion peso investment aims to transform the logistics landscape of Mindanao, significantly reducing travel time and opening new windows of opportunity for local industries.
Speaking at a press briefing at Villamor Air Base on Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the President’s directive is centered on delivering tangible benefits to the Filipino people.
“Faster travel, a stronger economy, and more opportunities—this is what our countrymen, especially in Mindanao, can expect,” Castro stated.
The project is set to revolutionize travel between Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay. Currently a grueling seven-hour journey, the new highway is expected to slash travel time to just 3.5 hours, effectively doubling the efficiency of land transport in the region.
To ensure the project remains on track and insulated from funding gaps, the DBM has issued a Forward Obligation Authority (FOA). This mechanism guarantees a steady flow of financing from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2034.
Key Project Details:
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Total Funding: PhP145.56 Billion
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Funding Sources: Joint loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with counterpart funding from the Philippine Government.
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Strategic Goal: To ensure no critical infrastructure project is delayed due to budgetary constraints.
DBM Secretary Rolando Toledo reiterated that the administration’s stance on infrastructure is firm: development must be expedited. By securing the budget nearly a decade in advance, the government aims to provide a “seamless flow of services” that directly impacts the quality of life for Mindanaoans.
“With faster transportation, services will flow more smoothly, and our citizens will feel the pulse of progress more deeply,” Castro added.
