At least PHP10.48 billion more is needed to fully complete the extension of the multi-year Tacloban Bypass Road project, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Wednesday.

Of the funding requirement, PHP1.56 billion is needed in 2024 and PHP8.92 billion for 2025 onwards, DPWH 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director Edgar Tabacon said in an interview.

“As of end of February 2023, the project was 11.62 percent complete. We need more funds to finish the project within the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” Tabacon told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

From 2018 to 2023, the central government has spent PHP2.32 billion to build the 33-km. road that provides an alternative highway from this city to the proposed international port in nearby Babatngon town.

The allotment until 2023 allowed the opening and concreting of 1.64 km. of road.

The proposed funds starting in 2024, to be sourced from the national government for inclusion in the DPWH annual budget, will cover works for the remaining 31.34 km. of the highway.

The six-lane road is expected to decongest traffic along the Tacloban-Babatngon Road going to the city’s downtown, reducing travel time from 1.5 hours to only 45 minutes once completed.

It involves the construction of a concrete road, a drainage system, road slope protection, and three bridges.

The road is an extension of the PHP1.12 billion Tacloban Bypass Road completed in early 2022 after seven years of construction.

The 6.405-km. bypass road involved the opening of the road, including a four-lane and a six-lane roadway; construction of drainage; and slope protection structures. It starts in Nula-Tula village and ends in Caibaan village in this city. (PNA)