Gov't to ensure 'zero obstruction' on highways for Holy Week —DOTr, DPWH, PNP

Government agencies will ensure that there would be no obstructions on expressways and highways on April 2, Maundy Thursday, and April 3, Good Friday, officials said Tuesday.

Transportation Secertary Giovanni Lopez said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will start removing parked vehicles on sidewalks of highways starting April 1.

“Kasama po ang DILG chief, PNP, ang HPG, LTFRB, ‘yung nakikita po natin usually na naka-park na sasakyan sa mga bangketa ay tatanggalin na po natin ‘yan,” Lopez said in a press conference.

(With the DILG chief, the PNP, HPG, and LTFRB, the DOTR will remove parked vehicles on sidewalks.)

“Hindi po parkingan ang bangketa sa highway. Napakadelikado po niyan,” he added.

(Sidewalks on highways are not for parking. This is very dangerous.)

For his part, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said that this is especially important in light of the hike on fuel prices.

“Kailangan, lalong-lalo na ngayon na ang tumataas ang presyo ng krudo, ng diesel, ng gasolina, and maraming bi-biyahe ngayong Holy Week, eh kailangan maibsan natin kahit papaano ‘yung hirap ng mga kababayan natin,” he said.

(It is necessary, especially now that the prices of crude oil, diesel, and gasoline are rising, and many will be traveling this Holy Week, that we can somehow ease the burden of our fellow citizens.)

Dizon said they will also ensure there will be no "one way" roads during Holy Week.

“Kailangan niyan tuloy-tuloy ang daloy ng trapiko at maayos natin kahit papaano ‘yung mga sira-sirang kalye. So halimbawa, ito 'yung sa Laguna, sa San Pablo, ‘yung mga dating sira-sira, naayos na ngayon,” he said.

(Traffic has to be flowing smoothly, and damaged roads should be somehow repaired. For example, in Laguna, in San Pablo, the roads that were previously damaged have now been repaired.)

“Importante 'yan kasi tuloy-tuloy dapat (ang daloy ng trapik),” he added.

(That is important because traffic flow should be continuous.)

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said they will coordinate with barangays regarding obstructions.

“Ultimo dito sa mga schools. Pinagbabawal na po ‘yung mga bakal na nakalagay doon sa kalsada kasi maraming nadi-disgrasya diyan,” Nartatez said.

(Even in schools, the metal barriers placed on the roads are already being prohibited because many accidents happen there.)

“Including ‘yung mga magsasaka po natin na nagbibilad ng mga palay o kung ano man ang binibilad sa highway, kakausapin muna natin sila at sa ibang araw na sila magbilad doon,” he added.

(Including our farmers who are drying palay or whatever on the highway, we will talk to them and ask them to do so on another day.) —KG, GMA News