CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Northern Mindanao announced that an over P46-million detour near a collapsed section of a key highway linking Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, and Davao is scheduled to open in January 2026.

Already 65% complete, the four-lane alternate route in Sitio Kipolot, Barangay Palacapao, Quezon town, Bukidnon, is being built after heavy rain triggered a landslide in October, killing an elderly couple riding a tricycle and cutting traffic between Northern Mindanao and Davao regions.

The disruption has caused estimated economic losses of at least P187 million a day, or 1.19% of Northern Mindanao’s gross regional domestic product, according to Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño, director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development. 

Officials earlier warned that losses could reach P14 billion if the disruption continues until December 31 and may climb to P48.1 billion if the highway is not fully rehabilitated by June 30, 2026.

“Currently our engineers are correcting the grade of the road surface. By January there will be only minor activities to finish the project,” DPWH-X information officer Novie Cabrido said on Monday, December 15.

The 460-linear meter detour, being built at a cost of P46.6 million using the DPWH Quick Response Fund, is not yet cemented but will be passable for heavy trucks and vehicles, she added.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the detour after the mountain road collapsed, severing a vital economic link for the region. 

“Our engineers were given 45 days to complete the road detour project to ease the burden of the truckers and vehicle owners,” Cabrido said.

A separate DPWH diversion allows only small and light vehicles to pass, forcing larger trucks to take alternative routes that add 60 to 100 kilometers to their trips.

Additional travel and logistics costs for truckers could total P132 million. Local farmers and vegetable vendors also face losses from double handling, spoilage, and delays, estimated at P55 million a day. – Rappler.com