Motorists in General Santos City can now use the long-delayed General Santos Underpass after it officially opened to traffic on July 29, two days ahead of the July 31 deadline set by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.
Located at the intersection of Mabuhay-Bulaong Road and Digos-Makar Road in Barangay Mabuhay, the underpass is expected to ease congestion along one of the city's busiest transport corridors, improving the movement of commuters, cargo trucks and agricultural products entering and leaving the city.
The project, which began construction in June 2022, was originally scheduled for completion in September 2024. However, it encountered multiple delays, pushing its target completion first to the end of 2025 before finally opening in July 2026.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the delays were largely due to a major redesign after engineers encountered sandy volcanic soil and a high groundwater table during excavation. Officials warned that the original design could have caused the underpass to flood during heavy rains.
To address the issue, the DPWH redesigned the drainage system by incorporating a large underground reservoir, perforated drainage pipes and a gravity-fed drainage system that channels water toward the nearby Silway River. The revised design is intended to reduce reliance on mechanical pumps, lower long-term maintenance costs and minimize the risk of flooding.
The project also faced right-of-way constraints and delays in relocating water and power utilities, which slowed construction of the access roads.
The underpass project carries an estimated construction cost of P681 million, although the national government released more than P814 million in funding between 2021 and 2024 to accommodate project requirements and contingencies.
The opening follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive for the DPWH to accelerate the completion of long-delayed infrastructure projects nationwide.
Dizon inspected the underpass on June 9, 2026, where he ordered contractors and DPWH officials to ensure the facility would be operational before the end of July. The project was opened to motorists two days ahead of that deadline.
The General Santos Underpass forms part of the administration's Build Better More infrastructure program, which seeks to improve mobility, reduce travel times and strengthen logistics networks across the country.
General Santos City serves as the economic center of the Soccsksargen region and hosts one of the Philippines' busiest fish ports. The improved road infrastructure is expected to facilitate the movement of goods, support regional trade and reduce daily travel delays for thousands of motorists using the corridor.
