CAVITE, Philippines — Metro Pacific Tollways South (MPT South) has announced a strategic increase in its roadside assistance and emergency response teams on the Cavite expressways in response to the expected surge in vehicular traffic during the upcoming Holy Week.
According to Philippines News Agency, the company is preparing for an estimated 8 to 10 percent hike in traffic volumes on the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), and the C5 Link. Daily vehicle passage currently stands at 170,000 on CAVITEX, 43,000 on CALAX, and 12,300 on the C5 Link.
To address the anticipated influx, additional personnel will be stationed along these thoroughfares, starting Holy Wednesday, to provide vital services ranging from emergency medical assistance to efficient incident response. In a notable move aimed at aiding motorists, MPT South will offer complimentary towing for Class 1 vehicles experiencing breakdowns, facilitating their removal to the nearest exit point.
Ignacio emphasized that construction and routine maintenance activities will be temporarily halted to minimize disruptions, except for critical safety repairs. This measure aims to ensure smoother traffic flow during the period of heightened roadway usage.
Further enhancing the travel experience, Ignacio advocated for the adoption of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for toll payments, promoting its time-saving benefits over traditional cash transactions. He highlighted the Easytrip RFID system as a significant time-saver at toll plazas, discouraging lengthy queues and facilitating smoother transitions through toll points.
Additionally, motorists are encouraged to leverage the MPT DriverHub app, a digital tool designed to streamline toll payments and provide up-to-the-minute traffic information across the network of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) roads.
In the lead-up to one of the busiest travel periods of the year, Ignacio also stressed the importance of thorough vehicle inspections, advocating the 'BLOWBAGETS' checklist — an acronym for Battery, Lights, Oil, Water, Brakes, Air, Gas, Engine, Tires, and Self. This comprehensive review is aimed at reducing the incidence of vehicle malfunctions that can cause delays and hazards on the expressways.
MPT South's initiative reflects its commitment to ensuring safety and convenience for the increased number of travelers expected to traverse the Cavite expressway network during the Holy Week observance.