DPWH to launch 'Lakbay Alalay' for Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines - With Holy Week only a few days away, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is revving up its “Lakbay Alalay” to ensure smooth travel for motorists from March 31 to April 10.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said Lakbay Alalay will begin at 6 a.m. of March 31 and last until noon of April 10.

During the 11-day operation, the DPWH will be coordinating with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and officials of the local government units (LGU). They will jointly provide assistance during normal and emergency situations to motorists along national roads, according to the secretary’s statement.

As part of their preparation, Singson also directed crews to expedite necessary road maintenance and improvement activities such as the installation of legible informational and directional signs, reflectorized pavement markings along national roads, particularly in the provinces, to allow foreign and domestic tourists convenient travel to their destinations.

Singson has also instructed regional directors and district engineers to take advantage of the summer season to fast-track the completion of several road construction projects and place warning signs on these ongoing road improvements to alert motorists.

“Once our rehabilitation works on national roads are completed, the situation will certainly improve,” he said.

Singson appealed to the public to bear with the inconveniences they are currently experiencing. He said that the road improvement activities were intended to upgrade the quality and safety of national roads and bridges.

DPWH also advised motorists to take alternate routes, skirting congested areas and road sections where construction activities are ongoing.

The agency’s field offices were also reminded to post adequate traffic advisories specifying entry and exit points – with corresponding distances – and strictly carry out the removal of obstructions along national roads and bridges.

In the Bicol region, DPWH Region 5 Director Danilo Dequito has reported that some 30 Motorists Assistance Centers would be installed in conspicuous places of the national road not only in the mainland provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay and Sorsogon but also in Catanduanes and Masbate.

MNTC sets up public assistance

Meanwhile, motorists in Luzon can access free Wi-fi connection this Holy Week courtesy of the “SafeTrip Mo, Sagot Ko” project, a public assistance program of the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) and the Tollways Management Corp. (TMC).

The free Internet service, powered by Smart Communications for laptop, iPad, mobile phones and other devices, is available in eight selected service stations along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), MNTC said.

SafeTrip Mo Sagot Ko will be implemented from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., April 4 to 9 along the NLEX, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and the Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX), MNTC announced.

The public assistance also features a number of value added services, free of charge, by all 10 gasoline stations along the NLEX and the SFEX, as well as public assistance camps located in strategic spots of the SCTEX.

“There will be 12 service stations available to the public, nine along NLEX, one in SFEX, and two assistance camps in SCTEX,” the MNTC advisory said.

These facilities will offer free charging for all types of Smart cellular phones, free refreshments and other promotional product samples, personal assistance from SKSM representatives, and first aid to be provided by mobile medical clinics, MNTC added.

Other services include emergency troubleshooting on all kinds of vehicles, and towing for class 1 vehicles to the nearest exit point.

The MNTC added that more patrol teams will also be deployed for quick response to emergency situations, as well as to enhance public security along the tollways.

For assistance and inquiries, motorists may call the NLEX hotlines (02) 3-5000 and (02) 580-8910 or (0920) 96-SCTEX (72839) for SCTEX.

 NLEX is also available on Twitter for regular updates, just follow @nlextraffic or like the Facebook page “Travel on Great Roads.” For more information, visit www.tollways.net.ph .

PNP full alert on Holy Week

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has activated “Operation Plan Summer Vacation 2012” (Oplan Sumvac 2012) as it deploys 70,000 police officers nationwide to ensure the security and safety of the public who are expected to flock to various tourist spots for the summer and the Holy Week.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz said the 140,000-strong national police would be elevating its “heightened alert” status to “full alert” status tomorrow (March 28).

Transportation officials estimate 30 to 40 percent increase in commuter traffic over land and inter-island modes of travel during the Holy Week.

Cruz said the nationwide law enforcement and public safety plan will cover the entire two and a half-month summer holiday season that begins with the closing of the school year in March and will peak in the Holy Week in April and extend through the fiesta and Flores de Mayo season in May until the opening of classes in June.

He said PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome aims to promote travel safety among motorists and commuters, as well as both local and foreign travelers who will make use of the summer holiday to visit the country’s tourist destinations.

Bartolome has instructed all PNP unit commanders to put up Police Assistance Centers (PAC) in strategic locations along national highways.

He said the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and Regional Police Offices will also spearhead road safety operations in these areas.

PACs will serve as quick-reaction points for police emergency and medical response, and advance command post for traffic management and road security operations.

All PACs are linked with Patrol 117 nationwide emergency telephone hotline, and the TXT PNP 2920 SMS hotline.

In coastal resort areas, the Maritime Group and local PNP units were tasked to conduct seaborne patrols and other police security functions to assist in enforcing maritime laws and local ordinances that impose safety regulations in the operation of inter-island vessels and motorized boats that ferry passengers across bodies of water.

In Metro Manila, Oplan Bantay Lakbay will be spearheaded by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units.

All commercial business establishments, shopping malls, places of worship, MRT & LRT, and other vital installations will be placed under intensive security coverage.

Target: Zero casualty

Meanwhile, the government vowed to achieve a zero casualty goal for the Lenten break.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Benito Ramos said accidents and casualties can be avoided through adequate preparation.

Ramos said the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and attached agencies had been ordered to ensure that public transportation systems could travel smoothly.

The agency will also install help desks in public places and will provide free calls for passengers in strategic areas.

Ramos reminded bus companies to assign at least two drivers per bus, especially those that travel to distant locations.

“There should be a minimum of two drivers. Humans have limitations and a driver may get tired if he drives for long hours,” he said.

Ramos also urged the public not to bring too many luggage when traveling so they could easily move in the event of accidents or disasters.

“If it is not important, they (passengers) should not bring with them small children,” he said.

He also reminded beach resort owners to ensure that there is enough lifeguards and lifesavers to address emergency situations.

Fire trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection will schedule their roving activities in the morning and in the evening, especially on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Ambulance units will also be deployed to provide medical assistance.

The Philippine Red Cross will also set up first aid stations along national roads, highways, religious places and terminals. The group will also pre-position ambulance units in various gas stations.

The NDRRMC has been placed on red alert starting yesterday and its partner agencies starting Monday. The alert status places all of its personnel on standby.

The military, for its part, said it has not monitored any threat that could disrupt the commemoration of Holy Week.

“As per verification from our intelligence operatives, particularly here at National Capital Region Command, we have not monitored any specific threat,” said Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr.

He said they also did not detect security threats in other parts of the country.

Burgos said they would let the field commanders decide whether to raise the alert level in their areas. – Ding Cervantes, Mike Frialde, Alexis Romero