The Department of Public Works and Highways Region III (DPWH-3) is set to install Motorist Assistance Centers (MACs) in strategic points in the region to provide aid to public in line with agency’s “Lakbay Alay” program this Holy Week.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, through a memorandum dated April 11,2019, instructed the District Engineering Offices (DEOs) in the region to mobilize Motorists Assistance Teams that will provide motorists and pedestrians prompt and reliable assistance from April 17 noon to April 22 noon.
DPWH-3 Regional Director Roseller Tolentino said that 14 DEOs are all set to ensure the safe and secured travel of motorists by implementing several measures, including the posting of proper signages and warning signs within clear and safe sight distance of
all on-going construction projects.
Legible informational and directional signs are likewise installed at conspicuous
locations along national roads and on kilometer posts to provide necessary guidance to the traveling public, Tolentino said.
He added that DEOs were also told to ensure that road sections are maintained and free of potholes and pavement markings are reflectorized to guide night-driving motorists, as well as assure the strict implementation of Motorist Assistance Program and all Department issuances on removal of obstructions along the right-of-way of our national roads and bridges.
DPWH personnel are also tasked to install appropriate traffic advisory on specific locations and corresponding distances of ongoing construction/improvement/maintenance activities, and provide entry and exit points for alternate routes to bypass these traffic-congested
areas, he added.
Tolentino said the agency will be deploying field personnel wearing prescribed DPWH uniform who are assigned on a round-the-clock shift to provide personal and prompt assistance on normal and emergency situations.
Deployed personnel will also be tasked to properly coordinate with concerned government entities such as the Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police and local government units for any assistance that may be required or provided.
“There is a significant increase in the volume of motorists headed to major tourism, and pilgrimage and religious sites in Central and North Luzon either via Clark International Airport or our major road networks like the Maharlika Highway, Manila North Road and McArthur Highway and the numerous sections of the North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway,” Tolentino said.
Tolentino cited the various churches frequented by pilgrims and devotees for the Visita Iglesia including the lahar-devastated San Guillermo Church in Bacolor and other historic churches in Pampanga, and the tourist-famous Monasterio de Tarlac, as well as in other tourism destinations in the region.
“Our offices must brace for the surge of traffic and assist motorists who may encounter any untoward incident during their travel and our staff are ready to assist them,” Tolentino assured.