On All Saints Day: DPWH to put up ‘Help Desks’ in Bicol

By Cet Dematera

LEGAZPI CITY --- At least 23 motorists’ assistance centers (MACs) are to be set up by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as part of its ‘lakbay alalay’ program along the close-to 200-kilometer stretch national highway traversing the Bicol Peninsula in anticipation of the influx of motorists to the region this coming All Saints’ Day.

Engineer Virgilio Eduarte, DPWH-Bicol director, said that these help desks would also provide signage and directions to different destinations and alternate routes, especially to motorists who are not yet very familiar with the newly opened roads.

Eduarte said that these desks would be set up from 7 a.m. of October 28 to 12 noon of November 2, along with major entry and exit points in the mainland provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon and in crossing the island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate.

“We already formed skeletal force from our maintenance division in order to monitor, receive and act on all concerned from the deployed MAC personnel,” Eduarte said.

He said he already instructed the DPWH maintenance engineers to ensure that national road networks particularly those leading to public and private cemeteries be thoroughly maintained and kept in good shape so that there would be safe and uninterrupted transport flow in the duration of the “Undas.”

He said that motorists who would be availing the services of the assistance centers are being encouraged to fill-in the customers’ satisfaction survey form as basis for the continuing improvement of the DPWH programs.

Bicolanos are known for religiously visiting their departed family and relatives during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day commemoration.