Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson ordered Regional and District Offices nationwide to direct contractors with on-going road works to clear the national highways of barriers including idle equipment in anticipation for influx of travellers this Holy Week, a statement said.
Singson earlier directed the activation on April 13 to 19, 2014 of the Department’s “Lakbay Alalay” Motorists Assistance Program in the observance of the 2014 Lenten Season.
Moreover, DPWH field units were instructed to conduct road check including the installation of directional signs, resealing of damaged pavements, and application of thermoplastic pavement markings before the Holy Week.
Singson cited the various on-going road activities at Manila North Road between Carmen, Pangasinan to La Union which will greatly affect vehicular flow for motorists headed to Ilocos and Cordillera Regions.
Major on-going 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 on-going construction of Banban and Baruyen Bridges in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.
Also, with Baguio City as one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines for local and foreign pilgrims and vacationers, the on-going pavement rehabilitation works at Kennon Road particularly at km 236+500 which is open one lane only and at Km. 238+400 will affect mobility of motorists who are advised to take Marcos Highway.
For land travellers heading south using the Daang Maharlika (Manila South Road), the following projects will slow down movement of Holy Week travellers: on-going 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.
Volumes of vehicle 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.
