THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has prepared several measures to keep traffic flowing smoothly during the celebration of All Saints’ Day on Saturday.
Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said the department’s regional and district offices have started “vigorous highway routine maintenance activities, such as pavement, bridge, shoulder and drainage upkeep, as well as vegetation control on major roads and highways, especially those leading to cemeteries.”
Also included in the routine maintenance activities for both carriageway and roadsides being undertaken by the agency’s field units include traffic service maintenance with the provision of informative or regulatory warning signs or traffic advisories.
“These activities will ensure better and safer travel,” Singson said.
With various improvement and maintenance works under the long-term performance-based maintenance projects on national arterial roads ongoing, Singson said he directed all district engineers to coordinate with the project engineers of the Unified Project Management Office implementing the project and the contractors for the scheduling of their activities and installation of traffic advisories.
“Contractors with ongoing projects have to suspend further excavation or pavement-removal activities and shall begin with the clearing of construction barriers and the removal of idle equipment directly on site that may obstruct and affect traffic flow,” he added.
To manage road situation, the DPWH will also activate a composite team on strategic location headed by an anchorman from the regional and district offices, who will aid the traveling public from October 30 to November 3 under the “Lakbay Alalay” program.
“We will closely coordinate with the Land Transportation Office, National Police and local governments for the harmonized operation of Lakbay Alalay, Singson added.
South Luzon tollways ready
TRADITIONALLY, on or days before November 1, All Saints’ Day, a big number of motorists troop to the expressways to go to provinces south of Metro Manila to visit memorial parks and cemeteries to honor their dead.
Skyway O&M Corp. (Somco), Manila Toll Expressway System Inc. (MATES) and Star Tollway Corp. (STC), the operators of Skyway System, South Luzon Expressway (Slex) and Star Tollway, respectively, expect the volume of traffic to increase starting Monday and peak by Friday until November 3, on return trip to Metro Manila. Motorists are, therefore, encouraged to plan their travel beforehand to avoid the traffic rush and delays.
To ensure that traffic moves efficiently and that motorists are safe, the south tollway operators will implement Oplan Undas 2014-Ligtas na Biyahe.
Somco MATES and STC will intensify its patrol operations and motorist-assistance effort; cancel days-off of their field personnel, deploy ambulant tellers in busy toll plazas; and more closely coordinate with the National Police’s Highway Patrol Group and local police in their respective areas of responsibilities to curb possible criminal activities.
Tow trucks and ambulances will be available round-the-clock at strategic locations on the Skyway System, Slex and Star Tollway to promptly respond to any emergency.
The South Tollway operators remind motorists to check their vehicles’ cooling systems, brakes, tires, oil and fuel to prevent breakdown on the road; and to observe all tollway traffic rules, especially the speed-limit rule, for their own and others’ safety.
Meanwhile, Rescue5, the emergency response unit of TV5 News and Information (News5), provided the public with relevant tips for the safe and peaceful observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Through the “Aksyon sa Undas” plugs, which airs on TV5, its news channel Aksyon TV and Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM-Rescue5 share safety tips for people before leaving the house, and when traveling to the provinces. It also reminds people of the and don’ts inside cemeteries.
“We will not just deliver news, but also provide assistance to our Kapatid who will visit cemeteries. This is part of our commitment to cause journalism,” TV5 Public Service Head Sherryl Yao said.
Aside from its public-service plugs, Rescue5 will also set up 24-hour first- aid stations at the Manila North and South cemeteries from October 30 to November 1.
The team will be on alert round- the-clock to assist those flocking to cemeteries to pay their respects to their dear departed.
People may avail themselves of the following services for free: wheelchair assistance for senior citizens; blood-pressure monitoring; drinking-water stations in partnership with Maynilad; phone calls via Smart Communications; and electronic device charging through One Meralco Foundation.