DPWH sets up 'Lakbay Alalay'

MANILA, Philippines – In preparation for heavier traffic on national roads for All Saints’ Day, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started removing traffic obstructions along major thoroughfares.

All Saints’ Day falls on Monday.

The DPWH has also set up the “Lakbay Alalay” motorist assistance centers in strategic locations along national highways to respond to emergency situations.

Each assistance station would have engineers, mechanics, equipment operators and servicepersons.

The Lakbay Alalay Centers would be set up at the following locations: Albay Province: Basud, Sto. Domingo (DM Junction.-Legazpi-Sto. Domingo-Tabaco-Camarines Sur road); Busay, Daraga, Albay (Daang Maharlika); and Paulog, Ligao City (in front of Albay 2nd DEO).

Camarines Norte: Tabugon, Sta. Elena (Km. 244+313, Daang Maharlika) with roving unit.

Camarines Sur: Tambo, Pamplona (Daang Maharlika); Concepcion Grande, Naga City (fronting TMG Headquarters); Tigaon Station (DPWH Junction); Buluang, Baao (Daang Maharlika); Bato Resthouse, Agos (Daang Maharlika); DPWH Sub-Office, Agrupacion, Ragay.

Catanduanes: Manambrag, San Andres (Catanduanes Circ. Road); Pagsangahan, San Miguel (km. 24+780); Bato, Catanduanes (km. 7+760); Sicmil, Gigmoto (km. 64+800).

Masbate: Jct. Milagros-Baleno-Lagta Road; Jct. Tawad-Balud Road; Masbate-Milagros/Masbate-Cataingan Road; Junction Buenavista (Jct. Buenavista-Cawayan Road); Barangay Del Carmen (Jct. Buenavista-Cawayan Road); Barangay Balocawe, Dimasalang (Jct. Balatucan-Cataingan Rd.); Jct. Cataingan (Jct. Balatucan-Cataingan Road), Barangay Katipunan (Jct. Cataingan-Placer Road); San Fernando South Road (Batuan Section); San Fernando North Road (San Fernando Section); San Fernando North Road (San Jacinto Section); San Fernando North Road (Monreal Section); San Pascual-Claveria Road (San Pascual Side); San Pascual-Claveria Road (Claveria Section).

 Sorsogon: Pepita Park, Bucalbucalan (Daang Maharlika); San Pedro Multi-Purpose Barangay Hall, Irosin (Km.621+800). Roads that remain impassable because of the damage caused by typhoon “Juan” are: Oncalew Section along Itogon-Dalupirip Road in Benguet, Manangun Section of Mountain Province-Calanan Road, Kilometer 464 along Kalinga-Abra Road, Kilometer 481 along Balbalan-Pinukpuk Road, and Kilometer Lubuagan-Batong Buhay-Abra Boundary Road all in Kalinga Province.

In the province of Aurora, the Barangay Caloocan-Dipaculao Section along Dinadiawan-Madela Road still cannot be used because of road cut and mudflow.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will also deploy 1,200 members of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) nationwide to maintain peace and order in national roads.

HPG director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said the group will also check the condition of buses bound for the provinces to prevent the occurrence of accidents.

Last Aug. 18, a passenger bus fell into a ravine in Tuba town in Benguet province, killing 40 people.

The PNP will also establish at least one Police Assistance Center in every public cemetery.

The PNP Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) has also been distributing in transport terminals, town centers, and public cemeteries flyers containing safety tips during travel.

In its website, the PNP has published guidelines to protect homes from being broken into by criminals while owners are on a trip.

The PNP said an unguarded house is a prime target for break-ins. It is advised to have somebody you trust look after your home while away.

Before leaving your home, unplug all electrical appliances or turn off the main fuse to prevent electrical fire.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is also deploying emergency response teams in the North and South Luzon expressways to give assistance to people who might suffer from heat stroke, wounds, and hypertension.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, meanwhile, reminded the public to help cut the volume of garbage collected during the holiday by limiting the use of disposable food containers and other materials brought into cemeteries. – with Cecile Suerte Felipe, Mayen Jaymalin, Michael Punongbayan