The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is ready to assist the public as they travel to their hometowns to visit their departed loved ones in observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2.
The department will reactivate its Lakbay Alalay Program for four days, to ensure smooth traffic flow in major thoroughfares next week.
According to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, DPWH assistance centers will be stationed at major streets along national roads and bridges round-the-clock starting 7 a.m. on October 31 to 12 noon of November 4, 2018.
“We are hoping that through our Lakbay-Alalay teams, we can help everyone get the chance to visit memorial cemeteries, columbaria including churches and commemorate memories of their dearly departed safe and free from any inconvenience,” he said in a statement.
Villar added that assistance centers will be established at strategic locations to provide prompt and reliable assistance to motorists and pedestrians.
The teams will be composed of an anchorman from the regional and district/city offices and mechanics ready with equipment and service vehicles on stand-by
They shall ensure that national highways, especially those leading to both public and private cemeteries, are safe and cleared from potholes, obstructions including illegally-parked vehicles and vendors, and equipped with proper lighting and warning signage.
Also, DPWH Project Engineers are directed to coordinate with contractors and other concerned offices for the scheduling of on-going road projects and installation of necessary traffic advisory.
The motorist assistance teams are asked to coordinate with Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units (LGUs), and other concerned agencies for any required assistance. (PR)