LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol is reactivating its motorist assistance teams to render services along major thoroughfares in the region for seven days, in anticipation of a influx of motorists these Lenten holidays.
This motorist assistance program dubbed “Lakbay Alalay” is in coordination with the Land Transportation Office, the Philippine National Police and local government units, DPWH Regional Director Danilo Versola said.
He said all measures must be strictly observed and implemented.
Proper signages and warning signs are installed within clear and safe sight distance of all on-going construction projects, all road sections are well-maintained and free of potholes, he added.
All these assistance centers will be manned by engineers, car mechanics, equipment operators and other service crewmen who will give free roadside emergency repair and other assistance to motorists during the long holidays, he said.
For the safety and convenience of the motoring public, all district engineers in the region are instructed to expedite necessary road maintenance activities, including the installation of legible informational and directional signs along Bicol’s national road network, he said.
Lucy Castaneda, DPWH regional information chief, in an interview Tuesday said at least 32 motorists’ assistance centers to be manned by their teams, established in conspicuous places along these arterial roads.
The teams will be seen along Andaya Highway from Camarines Norte to Camarines Sur, Maharlika Highway from Camarines Sur down to Sorsogon and National Highway in Partrido Area of Camarines Sur starting at the noontime of March 28 to noontime of April 2.
They will be located at the Camarines Norte’s Tabugon Section junction; Baong Silang-Capalonga section, Labo; Talobatib, Labo; Brgy. Tuaca, Basud and in Daet.
For Camarines Sur, the teams will be stationed in Concepcion Grande, Naga City; Tigaon-Sangay section; Sta. Terisita in Baao; Agos in Bato; Lupi-Sipocot/Libamanan boundary and in Tambo Pamplona.
In Albay, the teams will be stationed in front of the DPWH’s District Engineering Office in Barangay Paulog, Ligao City; Busay, Daraga, and Lidong, Sto. Domingo.
In Sorsogon, teams will be fielded at the Dona Pepita Park of Barangay Bucalbucalan, Sorsogon City, and Barangay San Pedro, Irosin, Castaneda said.
Assistance centers will not only be installed in the mainland provinces but also in Bicol’s island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate, she added.
There will be three stations in Catanduanes and 12 to cover the Masbate mainland and its two sub-islands of Ticao and Burias, she said.
For Catanduanes, it will be in Virac-Bato-Baras road; Batong Paluway road; Palta section, while for Masbate it will be in infront of Masbate Cathedral; Masbate-Balatucon section; Masbate-Milagros; Buenavista-Cawayan road; masbate-Cataingan-Placer in Dimasalang; Masbate-Cataingan-Placer in Cataingan.
For Ticao and Burias islands in Masbate, the motorist assistance teams will be in Batuan section; San Fernando section; San Jacinto section; Monreal section; San Pascual side and Claveria side. (Connie Calipay/PNA)
