Baguio motorists urged to take Marcos Highway

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday advised those going to Baguio City this Holy Week to use the Marcos Highway instead of Kennon Road.

In line with its “Lakbay Alalay” program, the DPWH informed motorists that there is an ongoing pavement rehabilitation work along Kennon Road, leaving only one lane open to vehicles.

The Lakbay Alalay 2014 will run starting tomorrow, Palm Sunday, until April 19, Black Saturday.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson has instructed the department’s regional and district offices to direct contractors with ongoing road projects to clear highways of barriers, including idle equipment, to brace for the influx of travelers this Holy Week.

The DPWH field units were ordered to conduct road checks, including the installation of directional signs, resealing of damaged pavements, and application of thermoplastic pavement markings this weekend.

Singson cited various ongoing road activities on the Manila North Road from Carmen, Pangasinan to La Union that would greatly affect traffic to the Ilocos and Cordillera regions.

Major road improvement projects expected to slow down traffic along the Manila North Road are ongoing in the Urdaneta-Binalonan-Pozorrubio-Sison section and Villasis in Pangasinan; some roads in La Union; the Bantay section in Ilocos Sur; and on the Banban and Baruyen bridges in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

Those going south using the Daang Maharlika (Manila South Road) may be affected by road widening projects ongoing in the Tabugon-Sta. Elena section and Labo, Bulala, Cabuluan and Laniton bridges in Camarines Norte; San Jose Bridge in Pili, Camarines Sur; and Bascaran, Cabangan and Oas diversion bridges in Albay; as well as the Daang Maharlika improvement project in Sorsogon.