MANILA, (PNA) –- The Department of Public Works and Highways reactivated on Wednesday its “Lakbay Alalay” program to assist motorists during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
In a statement, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said regional and district engineers nationwide were already directed to set-up regular service program of the department, starting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30 until 12:00 noon of Monday, November 4.
Singson said the team will be composed of engineers, mechanics, equipment operators and other service crew who will extend free roadside emergency repair assistance and help for travelers.
They will be deployed in strategic locations along national highways, where the influx of motorists going to both public and private cemeteries in the cities and provinces are expected.
Singson earlier reminded his men in the field to ensure that proper signage, warnings and readable directional signs, along the national roads and on-going projects are installed properly.
“All on-going road construction should have warning signs with deployed traffic aides/personnel to manage traffic and reduce inconvenience to public”, said Singson.
He also suggested implementation of traffic rerouting scheme or alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic at on-going projects.
Pangasinan already implemented an alternate route at the on-going rehabilitation along the Binalonan-Pozorubbio-Sison section of Manila North Road.
Region 1 OIC-Director Melanio Briosos said motorists are also advised to avoid traffic gridlock at the Tarlac-Pangasinan (Carmen) Boundary to Pangasinan-La Union (Sison) and instead utilize the following alternate routes:
(a) Carmen-Rosales-Sta. Maria-Asingan-Binalonan Road (Magilas Trail);
(b) Binalonan-Laoac-Pozorrubio Road;
(c) Urdaneta-Manaoag-San Jacinto-San Fabian-Damortis Jct., La Union Road (for light vehicles only); and
(d) Binalonan-Laoac-Manaoag-San Jacinto-San Fabian-Damortis Jct., La Union (for light vehicles only).
Briosos said motorists opting to use the Manila North Road are advised to brace for traffic bottlenecks and alternate one-way traffic and warned against overtaking or counter-flowing at chokepoints and on approaching stationary vehicles queues especially during peak hours from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
In Region 5, the DPWH will dispatch 31 Motorists’ Assistance Centers along Bicol’s arterial roads.
In Camarines Norte, they will be deployed at Tabugon Section, K0248, Junction Andaya Highway while in Camarines Sur, assistance centers will be dispatched to DPWH Field Office, Gaongan, Sipocot, GAD Building, Pamplona (K0418+100), Concepcion Grande, Naga City (K0439+820), Sta. Teresita, Baao, Lourdes Young, and in Nabua, Tigaon.
In Albay, Motorists’ Assistance Centers will be established in Paulog, Ligao, Busay, Daraga (K0522+050), Basud, Sto. Domingo (K0540+005) and in Sorsogon at Dona Pepita Park, Brgy. Bucalbucalan, and San Pedro Multi-Purpose Brgy. Hall, Irosin (K0621+800).
Assistance centers will also be set-up in the island provinces of Bicol Region — seven in Catanduanes and 12 in Masbate.