DPWH assures safe roads for Ati-Atihan, Dinagyang revelers

Members of a tribal contingent dance after the Pilgrims’ Mass at Pastrana Park in Kalibo, capital of Aklan, as part of the Ati-Atihan Festival celebration. FILE PHOTO/HARESH TANODRA (CONTRIBUTOR)

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has assured revelers that roads leading to Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan and Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City are in good condition.

Maintenance teams have been deployed to ensure safety for roads leading to the sites of the festivals scheduled this January 2018, the DPWH said in a statement.

“DPWH Region 6 Director Wenceslao M. Leaño, Jr. instructed concerned district offices of Aklan and Iloilo to make sure that roads are in good condition and accessible to motorists and the general public,” the department said.

For the Ati-Atihan Festival, the DPWH said its Aklan District Engineering Office personnel have conducted maintenance activities on major roads in Kalibo in time for the festivities.

“Maintenance personnel were instructed to check roads for potholes, cracks and to de-clog canals along national roads, particularly in Poblacion areas,” the DPWH said.

The main thoroughfare to Kalibo International Airport, Jaime Cardinal Sin Avenue, was placed with thermoplastic pavement markings, while its curbs and gutters were repainted, the department said.

Major bridges such as Kalibo Bridge II were also inspected for proper lighting, while the bridge along Makato By-pass Road would temporarily open until January 22 to cater motorists for a separate Ati-Atihan Festival in Makato, Aklan, the DPWH said.

In Iloilo, the DPWH said it deployed crews to repaint road lane markings and gutter, install signages and de-clog drainage systems in time for Dinagyang Festival.

“Projects that are scheduled for implementation will be temporarily suspended to give way to the celebration while rehabilitation works along Valeria Street will be completed before the start of the Dinagyang week,” the DPWH said. /jpv