MPTC announces motorist assistance efforts for Undas 2020

Ruben Manahan Oct 30, 2020

Despite threats of the dreaded Covid-19, the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) will continue its “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” (SMSK) Motorist Assistance Program.

Activated until November 8, MPTC announced that it will boost its operations, customer services, and safety protocols along its expressways to ensure safe and convenient travel for those who will pay their respects to their dearly departed that will be using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), C5 link, and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).

MPTC President and CEO Rodrigo Franco said that such initiative was launched as motorists are expected to visit their departed loved ones after November, in relation to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-IED).

“This year’s Undas will be different due to the global pandemic. From October 29 to November 4, cemeteries and columbaria are closed so we expect lighter vehicular traffic in our expressways during this time. We are anticipating after that period, motorists will continue to visit their families and departed loved ones,” Franco explained.

At NLEX-SCTEX, traffic monitoring teams will keep an eye on locations that are usually high-volume such as the toll plazas in Balintawak, Mindanao, Karuhatan, Valenzuela (Paso de Blas), Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Sta. Rita, Pulilan, San Simon, San Fernando, Clark South, Tarlac, Tipo, and SFEX.

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NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi Bautista said that they are set to deploy 1,200 patrol crews, traffic marshals, security teams, and RFID Assist Squads to provide assistance to motorists.

CAVITEX, C5 LINK, and CALAX will also augment their deployment to manage the traffic and assist motorists.

Apart from these, additional traffic personnel will also be fielded to guide motorists at the toll plazas and speed and lane management teams will be available to enforce traffic discipline for road safety.

Last October 20, MPTC opened the Quirino East Service Road as an alternate route for NLEX-bound motorists to decongest the Balintawak Cloverleaf Northbound.

Just like before, construction and lane closures along NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, C5 LINK, and CALAX has been suspended until November 7 and free 24-hour towing service to the nearest exit for Class 1 vehicles will also be available from October 30, 6AM to November 2, 6AM.

Those who want to know the real-time traffic situation may check the company’s social media pages, and those who need assistance may call the 24/7 Hotlines (NLEX, SCTEX, C5 LINK, CALAX: 1-35000; CAVITEX: 8-165-8888).

Photos from Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC)