A total of 35 motorist assistance stations will be set up along major, secondary and tertiary roads in the Ilocos Region starting Wednesday to assist Holy Week travelers.
The teams will be deployed from 8 a.m. April 16 to 5 p.m. April 19.
Espher Tinaza, public information officer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 1, said Monday preparations are underway for the deployment of teams.
Like in the previous “Lakbay Alalay” (travel assist) program of the DPWH, the assistance stations would have an automotive mechanic who could troubleshoot in case of a vehicle breakdown, emergency responders who would be tasked to coordinate and communicate with the search and rescue team of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and village officials who would be ready to provide ambulances in case of accidents.
“Travelers can expect to find DPWH Lakbay Alalay teams, composed of DPWH uniformed field and crew personnel with maintenance equipment on standby, at navy blue-colored tents on specific areas along the Manila North Road (MNR), primary, secondary and tertiary roads in the region,” she said.
The DPWH Emergency Operation Center will be under the maintenance division of Region 1, while the quick response teams of the equipment management division will be ready to help with any untoward incident during the period.
The DPWH is likewise undertaking essential road maintenance, including repairing damaged roads, replacing worn-out road signs, and repainting road markings to improve road safety and reduce hazards.
For motorists traveling farther north, the DPWH Ilocos Norte First District Engineering Office (DEO) team will be deployed in Pasuquin, Barangay 43, Cavit, and Rodolfo G. Fariñas Jr., Bypass Road in Laoag City; Barangay Bayog, Burgos, Ilocos Norte; and in Barangays Tarrag, Sarrat and Pancian in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. The team of DPWH Ilocos Norte Second DEO will be ready to provide assistance in Barangay San Pablo, San Nicolas, and in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Badoc and Barangay Bungcag, Dingras, Ilocos Norte along Ilocos Norte Apayao Road.
The DPWH Ilocos Sur First DEO team can also be approached along Barangay Napo, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur; and at DPWH Compound Bantay in Ilocos Sur First DEO, and along MNR, Barangay 5, Poblacion, Bantay, Ilocos Sur; while the team of the DPWH Ilocos Sur Second DEO is ready to help travelers at their designated posts in MNR, Tagudin Section along Tagudin-Cervantes Road; Barangay Calaoa-an, Candon City, Ilocos Sur and in Barangay Quinarayan, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.
Meanwhile, the DPWH La Union First DEO team will be positioned at the MNR, along Camilo Osias, Balaoan, La Union, at Barangay Cacapian along San Juan-San Gabriel road, and MNR, Ili Sur in San Juan; DPWH Compound at Barangay Lingsat, La Union First DEO, and Barangay Pagdalagan Norte in the City of San Fernando, La Union, while the team of DPWH La Union Second DEO will be assigned at MNR, along Barangay Central West, Bauang; MNR, Barangay San Agustin Sur, Agoo, and in MNR, Barangay Subusub, Rosario, La Union.
The DPWH Pangasinan First DEO team will assist the motorists at the District Engineering Office along Pangasinan-Zambales Road while the team in DPWH Pangasinan Second DEO will also assist the motorists in Barangay Longos, San Fabian along Pangasinan-La Union Inter-Provincial Road; and Barangay Manat, Binmaley, and Barangay Socony, Lingayen, Pangasinan along Pangasinan-Zambales Road.
The DPWH Pangasinan Third DEO team will be positioned along the entrance/exit of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway in MNR, Barangay Palac-Palac, Pozorrubio, Pangasinan; Barangay Linmansangan along Mangaldan-Manaoag-Binalonan Road; MNR, Barangay Anonas in Urdaneta City, and in MNR, Barangay East, Carmen Section, Rosales, Pangasinan (Infront of quarantine area checkpoint); while the team of DPWH Pangasinan Fourth DEO will be deployed in Barangay Maningding; Tuliao, Sta. Barbara, and Calasiao Junction, Barangay San Miguel, Calasiao, along Urdaneta Junction-Dagupan Road.
By Leilanie Adriano
(PNA)