To ensure the seamless movement of millions of Filipinos traveling to the provinces for the Lenten break, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately clear all major national roads and highways of obstructions.
The presidential directive mandates the suspension of all non-essential road construction and the removal of one-way traffic schemes on primary arteries to prevent bottlenecks and reduce fuel consumption for motorists facing rising pump prices.
The administration’s goal is to transition from “stop-and-go” setups to a completely free-flowing traffic environment. By eliminating idle time in heavy congestion, the government aims to help travelers save on fuel costs and reach their destinations safely and more efficiently.
During a recent inspection of critical junctions in Central Luzon, officials emphasized that the “building” of traffic due to man-made obstructions will not be tolerated during the peak travel period.
“Traffic must be free-flowing this Holy Week. On our national roads, it is absolutely necessary that there is no construction and no stop-and-go schemes. We need to ensure that the flow of vehicles remains uninterrupted,” said Secretary Vince Dizon during an inspection of MacArthur Highway in Mabalacat City and the Jose Abad Santos Ave. (JASA) Road in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Key Measures Implemented:
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Suspension of Roadworks: All active DPWH construction projects on major national highways are temporarily halted until the end of the Holy Week.
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Removal of Barriers: Traffic cones, barriers, and equipment narrowing the usable road space are to be moved to the shoulders or off-site.
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Enhanced Monitoring: DPWH regional offices have been instructed to deploy “Lakbay Alalay” teams to provide roadside assistance and ensure that no new obstructions emerge.
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Optimized Lane Usage: Existing one-way schemes that frequently cause “accordion-effect” delays are being reverted to two-way operations where possible to maximize road capacity.
The President’s order comes as a response to the expected surge in vehicle volume across the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and various national highways connecting Metro Manila to the provinces.
The DPWH, in coordination with local government units (LGUs) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is currently conducting a final sweep of primary routes to ensure the President’s “no-obstruction” policy is strictly enforced. Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly and stay updated through official government social media channels for real-time traffic advisories.
