DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Ilocos will activate the “Lakbay Alalay” motorist assistance program as most national roads will be busy for the nationwide observance of Undas.
The motorist assistance program will start at 7 a.m. on Friday, October 28 until 12 noon on Wednesday, November 2 to ensure smooth traffic on national roads leading as huge volumes of vehicles are expected this long weekend.
In a statement, the DPWH said that various maintenance tasks, including the installation of clearly visible informative and regulatory warning signs or traffic devices, are regularly carried out on pavements, bridges, road shoulders, drainages, regravelling, and vegetation control.
“The motorists assistance teams will also guarantee continuous traffic flow throughout the whole region and that all national highways, particularly those going to both public and private cemeteries, will be maintained properly for safe travel,” it added.
In cooperation with the Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, and local government unit representatives, the teams will be deployed on a round-the-clock shift to offer help in both routine and emergency situations.
In Pangasinan, the team from the Equipment Management Division of DPWH Ilocos will be stationed at Carlos P. Romulo Bridge at Wawa village in Bayambang, Pangasinan.
DPWH Pangasinan First DEO team will assist the motorists at barangay Pandayan in Alaminos City, and at Poblacion in Bani town proper, while the team in DPWH Pangasinan Second DEO will also assist the motorists at barangay Naguilayan Manat Section in Binmaley, and at barangay Salasa Socony Section in Bugallon.
Likewise, the DPWH Pangasinan Third DEO team will be positioned along Mangaldan-Manaoag-Binalonan Road in barangay Linmansangan, in front of the entrance/exit of Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX), Manila North Road in barangay Bobonan, Pozorrubio Section; barangay Anonas in Urdaneta City; and at barangay East Carmen Section in Rosales.
The team of DPWH Pangasinan Fourth DEO will be deployed at Urdaneta Junction-Dagupan Road, barangay Maningding in Sta. Barbara; Urdaneta Junction-Dagupan Road, barangay Tuliao in Sta. Barbara; Urdaneta Junction-Dagupan Road, Calasiao Junction at barangay San Miguel in Calasiao.
Meanwhile, the DPWH Ilocos reminded the public to observe the maximum load limit of bridges to ensure safety and prolong service life.
The DPWH is looking to finish in two weeks the temporary bridge as an alternative route following last week’s collapse of the Carlos P. Romulo Bridge due to overloading.
The construction of the temporary link started on Tuesday.
It added that the maintenance crew has installed warning signs and barricades at strategic locations to inform the public about the ongoing works.
The bridge was built in 1945 and has an allowable load limit of 20 tons.
The two trucks that plied the bridge reportedly weighed around 69 tons.
The temporary bridge is only open for vehicles up to five tons. (PIA Pangasinan) BY: APRIL M. MONTES-BRAVO
