LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Bicol and the Philippine National Police (PNP) said that they are doing their best to address the heavy traffic being experienced in Barangay Cabutagan, Lupi town, Camarines Sur province since Dec. 14 due to construction work.
PHOTO from Bicol Connect FB shows heavy traffic on Andaya Highway in Lupi, Camarines Sur.
DPWH-Bicol Director Virgilio Eduarte said on Wednesday that immediate measures are being undertaken to resolve the situation caused by road reblocking.
"These include steel sheet pile driving and backfilling to accommodate a two-lane traffic flow as well as temporarily halting all ongoing work activities in the Lupi road stretch," Eduarte said.
Eduarte said that they are working round-the-clock to ensure that immediate remedial actions are implemented efficiently and effectively.
"To manage traffic and minimize disruptions, we have sought the assistance of the local enforcement team to man and regulate the flow of vehicles in the area," Eduarte said.
The Provincial Highway Patrol Team of the Highway Patrol Group in Camarines Sur have been managing traffic since Friday.
"In the above-mentioned date time and place, personnel of PHPT Camarines Sur, under the supervision of Police Capt. Francisco Sales, provincial officer, through the leadership of Police Lt. Col. Dave Mejia, conducted traffic direction and control on Andaya Highway, Barangay Cabutagan, Lupi, Camarines Sur," said the PHPT.
Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte in a Facebook post said that he has discussed the matter with DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
"I have also messaged Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez to convey to President Bongbong Marcos the urgency of the situation to help us in this situation," he said.
People have been posting their experience in the area on Facebook. They said that an eight to 12-hour trip from Metro Manila to Bicol has taken them 16 to 20 hours to complete.