Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Public Works and Highways ordered its contractors with ongoing road works on Friday to clear the national highways of obstructions and idle equipment in anticipation of the volume of travellers this Holy Week.
Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson earlier ordered the activation of the department’s “Lakbay Alalay” motorist assistance program from April 13 to 19 to assist people going to the provinces during the Holy Week.
The DPWH field units were also instructed to conduct road checks, including the installation of directional signs, resealing of damaged pavements and application of thermoplastic pavement markings.
Singson cited the various ongoing road activities at the Manila North Road between Carmen, Pangasinan and La Union, which would greatly affect vehicular flow for motorists headed to the Ilocos and Cordillera Regions.
“Major ongoing road improvement projects expected to slow down traffic along Manila North Road are the Urdaneta-Binalonan-Pozorrubio-Sison Section and Villasis in Pangasinan; widening works at Km 265 to 269 in La Union; Bantay Section in Ilocos Sur; and ongoing construction of Banban and Baruyen Bridges in Bangui, Ilocos Norte,” he said in a statement.
Noting that Baguio City was one of the most popular destinations for local and foreign pilgrims and vacationers, Singson said the ongoing pavement rehabilitation works on Kennon Road would affect the mobility of motorists.
He advised motorists going to Baguio to take the Marcos Highway instead.
For those heading south using the Daang Maharlika (Manila South Road), Singson said, several ongoing projects may also slow down travel.
These projects include the road widening works at Tabugon-Sta Elena Section and construction of Labo, Bulala, Cabuluan and Laniton Bridges in Camarines Norte; construction of San Jose Bridge in Pili, Camarines Sur; Bascaran, Cabangan and Oas Diversion Bridges in Albay; and Daang Maharlika improvement project in Sorsogon.
“Volume of vehicles utilizing the Manila North Road and Manila South Road, which form part of the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway, is usually at its peak during Holy Wednesday to Easter Sunday,” Singson noted.
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