CLARK FREEPORT -- The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the holding company of NLEX, SCTEX, and Cavitex, is now set to implement a motorist assistance program in preparation for the observance of Holy Week.
The tollways firm announced this during the launching of the Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko yesterday.
The “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko” Motorist Assistance Program includes enhanced traffic management and toll collection services to manage the 10 percent surge in traffic during the Holy Week.
The CCTV systems, LED lights, emergency call boxes, crash cushions, and reflective delineator plates were also installed to enhance motorists’ safety. A new traffic control room was also put up to monitor real-time traffic along the expressway.
Now on its 10th year, the SMSK will continue to cover not only Holy Week, Undas, Christmas, and New Year holidays but also the forthcoming long weekend specifically the National Heroes’ Day.
This Holy Week, around 700 tellers and patrol officers will be deployed at the NLEX-SCTEX to enhance traffic management and toll collection services.
April 15 to 22, NLEX-SCTEX traffic management teams will adopt extended working hours to closely monitor and manage the expected high volume of vehicles in Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Bocaue, Tarlac, San Miguel, and Tipo toll plazas.
On the peak hours of April 17 to 22, the said toll plazas will increase toll collection points by as much as 50 percent. Portabooths and portable toll collection equipment will be used to lessen motorist’s waiting time at the toll plazas.
During the same period, Cavitex will deploy more traffic patrol officers and security personnel to manage the traffic and assist motorists.
Additional tellers will also be on standby to facilitate faster toll transactions. Road works at the NLEX, SCTEX, and Cavitex will be suspended beginning April 12 until April 22 unless safety repairs are required. MPTC and its partners will also set up SMSK Motorist Camps and provide free calls, Wi-Fi, drinking water, basic mechanic services and first aid treatment in designated locations.
The SMSK will also provide 24-hour free towing services to the nearest exit for Class 1 vehicles from April 17, 6 a.m. to April 22, 6 a.m. Real-time traffic situation at the NLEX-SCTEX can be viewed via Facebook Live on the NLEX Corporation Facebook page from April 17, 6 a.m. to April 22, 6 p.m.
Customer Service hotline (3-5000) will be ready to take calls 24/7, while Customer Service Centers will be available to serve motorists except on April 19 and 21. SMSK is co-presented by Caltex and supported by Shell, Prestone, Smart, PLDT, Maynilad,and media partners TV5, The Philippine Star, Business World, Manila Bulletin, The Daily Tribune, and Manila Standard.