Worry-free trips for Peñafrancia devotees

By Public Information Office, DPWH 5 LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine National Highway (Daang Maharlika) in Bicol Region is now being readied for the expected influx of domestic and foreign visitors for the Peñafrancia festivities in Naga City this September. In a memorandum issued by newly-installed DPWH Regional Director Virgilio C. Eduarte, the latter instructed his district engineers (DEs) in the mainland provinces to set up Motorist Assistance Centers (MACs) along the national road. A total of eleven MACs in conspicuous spots of the highway include 3 in Albay, one in Camarines Norte, 5 in Camarines Sur and 2 in Sorsogon. Roving Teams from the Maintenance Division of DPWH Regional Office will also closely monitor the entire stretch of Daang Maharlika in the region. These teams will render 24/7 assistance to the pilgrims from September 6-8 and 13-17, 2018. The activity is in coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), and concerned Local Government Units (LGUs). Each DPWH Assistance Team is composed of Engineers, Mechanics and Equipment Operators. These members are oriented on their specific assignments for the delivery of the best service to the motoring public. For proper identification, field personnel will wear shirts with DPWH seal and name tags. In a meeting with DEs and key staff of DPWH in Bicol, Director Eduarte echoed the instruction of Secretary Mark A. Villar to keep the national road safe for travelers at all times. Thus, the director ordered that all roads, particularly those leading to the pilgrimage site, must be thoroughly maintained and installed with appropriate informative/directional, regulatory and warning signs. National roads with ongoing civil works shall also be monitored on its compliance as to road work safety, traffic management and good housekeeping practices.