With the unexpected five-day (long weekend) holiday this Holy Week, expressways are now gearing up for the expected influx of motorists.
In a statement issued March 30, Metro Pacific Tollways South (MPT South) said it is expecting a 10 to 15-percent increase in traffic volume in its expressways, from an average of 160,000 daily travelers at the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), 16,000 at the CAVITEX-C5 Link, and 34,000 at the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).
“To help motorists have a comfortable and stress-free trip, operations of MPT South will be placing its operations on ‘high alert’ status and reactivating the ‘Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko (SMSK)’ motorist assistance program from 6:00 a.m. of April 5 to 6:00 a.m. of April 11, 2023 across its road network,” MPT South assured motorists.
The SMSK program provides a range of services such as the provision of additional manpower for on-ground services such as traffic management and toll collection, standby emergency medical services, and incident response teams to render assistance to motorists.
MPT South will also offer free towing for Class 1 vehicles up to the nearest exit only.
Meanwhile, Raul Ignacio, President and General Manager of MPT South, encouraged users to avail of their Easytrip RFID and ensure that their RFID has sufficient load balance before traveling.
“This makes toll transaction quicker, more efficient, helping reduce traffic congestion especially now that we are almost at the pre-pandemic level and more cars are seen traversing the roads,” Ignacio said.
This year’s Holy Week holiday will extend from April 6 (Maundy Thursday) to April 10 (Monday), after the Marcos administration declared April 10 a non-working holiday due to “holiday economics” as April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan, fell on Easter Sunday.
Authorities are expecting more people to travel this Holy Week, as in-person religious activities have also been allowed after two years of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Marianito Lumayno
