North Luzon Expressway. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD REYES
MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) will be suspending road works along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) in time for the Lenten season when a surge in the number of travelers is expected.
The MPTC announced on Thursday that unless safety repairs are necessary, road works at the said expressways would be suspended starting April 12 (Friday) to April 22 (Monday).
To further accommodate the surge of travelers, the NLEX-SCTEX will deploy 700 tellers and patrol officers to manage the traffic and toll collection services, the MPTC said.
Its management teams will also adopt extended working hours from April 15 to 22, in order to monitor and manage the expected high volume of vehicles in Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Bocaue, Tarlac, San Miguel and Tipo poll plazas.
The MPTC said that during the peak hours of April 17 to 22, the toll plazas will increase toll collection booths by 50 percent. Portabooths and portable toll collection equipment will also be used to lessen the idle time of motorists queuing at toll plazas.
Meanwhile, the Cavitex will also deploy more traffic patrol officers and additional tellers will be on standby to facilitate faster toll transactions.
Free calls, Wi-Fi connections, drinking water, basic mechanic services and first aid treatment will also be available to travelers as the MPTC will set up motorists’ camps in certain locations.
It will also provide 24-hour free towing services to the nearest exit for Class 1 vehicles from 6 a.m. April 17 to 6 a.m. April 22.
Real-time traffic situation at the NLEX-SCTEX can be viewed on Facebook Live on the NLEX Corporation Facebook page from 6 a.m. on April 17 to 6 p.m. April 22, the MPTC said.
The Customer Service hotline (3-5000) will be ready to take calls 24/7, while Customer Service Centers will be available to accommodate motorists except on April 19 and April 21.
The MPTC said these preparations are in line with their “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” program, which is implemented not only during Holy Week, but also during Undas, Christmas, New Year holidays and the National Heroes’ Day.
“Gusto lang namin ipaalala na kailangan magbabiyahe tayo, ‘yung presence of mind, hindi yung absence of mind ang paiiralin natin,” NLEX Vice President of Technology Glenn Campos said in a press conference in Quezon City.
“Ang mga expressways, nandyan po kami, sinisigurado namin na safe ang ating motorways. Hindi po yan nagwowork na kami lang, kailangan meron din po kayong participation,” he added, talking about about the motorists’ physical preparedness for long drives and the good running condition of their vehicles. /jpv
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