INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Peak vehicle volume during the Holy Week travel rush is expected to begin on Holy Wednesday, March 27, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has advised.
In a radio interview on Wednesday morning, TRB spokesperson Julius Corpuz said that the 鈥渆xodus,鈥� or the period where vehicles will swarm roads across the country, is expected to begin at 9 a.m.
鈥淭oday, we are expecting or preparing for the start of the exodus, maybe it will start at 9 o鈥檆lock, because [work] is half-day today,鈥� Corpuz explained over at Radyo 630.
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The TRB spokesperson was referring to a recent pronouncement from Malaca帽ang, which said that government work will only be until 12 p.m. on March 27, while private employers will decide whether to implement the same rules for their employees.
To help prepare for the influx of vehicles on expressways, the TRB earlier noted that it will implement nine-point 鈥淪emana Santa鈥� travel measures to ensure the safety and convenience of travelers during Holy Week.
TRB鈥檚 nine-point measures are as follows:
1. Opening of all toll lanes;
2. Implementation of counterflow at pre-identified congested areas, if necessary;
3. Free towing of Class 1 vehicles during the Oplan in identified expressways;
4. Continuous posting of traffic updates through social media and traditional media;
5. Suspension of all roadworks and other activities that may impede the flow of traffic during the Oplan period;
6. Establishment of Motorists Assistance Stations at Toll Service Facilities to address motorists in distress;
7. Prevent access of pedestrians, ambulant vendors, stray animals and unauthorized vehicles from the 鈥淟imited Access Facilities鈥� (Toll Road);
8. Round-the-clock monitoring through CCTV cameras, backed with radio communication, for the entire Oplan duration; and
9. Coordinate with the Local Government Unit (LGU) to ensure a smooth flow of traffic at the expressway鈥檚 entries and exits.
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鈥淭he TRB highly encourages the motorists to check the condition of their vehicles, as well as the physical and mental condition of the person who will drive the vehicle; follow and comply with the traffic laws, rules and regulations; observe road courtesy; and ensure sufficient load in their RFIDs [Radio-frequency identification],鈥� the agency further said in a previous post on Facebook.
Meanwhile, land, sea, and airports across the country have also been preparing for an expected influx of passengers this Holy Week rush, which began on Palm Sunday, March 24, and will culminate on March 31, Easter Sunday.