In observance of All Saints’ Day, Skyway O&M Corp. or SOMCO, the operator of the Skyway System and Naia Expressway, will implement “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Undas 2017” from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2.
This will ensure the safety and convenience of the increased number of motorists who will use the expressways to go to pay respects to their departed loved ones in memorial parks and cemeteries in places south of Metro Manila and vice versa, SOMCO said.
In intensifying its traffic, safety and security operations, SOMCO will coordinate closely with the Metro Manila Development Authority, the Philippine National Police-National Capital Region Police Office, the local police in the vicinities of the Skyway System, the PNP Highway Patrol Group, and the concerned local government units.
On Oct. 28, 29, and 31, additional traffic personnel will be deployed on the southbound direction of the Skyway System and Naia, especially in choke points like Dona Soledad Ave. and Dr. A Santos Ave. up to the Loyola and Manila Memorial parks where heavy traffic is expected.
Likewise, motorists and commuters returning to Manila on Nov. 1 and 2 are expected to congest the northbound direction of the Skyway System from Alabang Viaduct to Skyway Main Toll Plaza B to the Runway area, Magallanes, Don Bosco, Amorsolo and Buendia off-ramps.
SOMCO will also put up and man Ligtas Biyahe motorist assistance stations at the C5 Bridge/Merville and C5 Offsite SB on Oct. 28 and 29; after Sucat SB exit on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
Meanwhile, Manila Toll Expressway System, Inc. (MATES) and Star Tollway Corp. (STC), operators of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Star Tollway, respectively, also expect northbound and southbound traffic on their toll roads to build up the whole day on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 and on Wednesday afternoon Nov. 1.
At SLEX, toll plazas with high traffic include Filinvest NB Exit/SB Entry, Susana Heights NB, Carmona NB/SB, SB Exit plazas of Mamplasan, Sta. Rosa, Eton and Cabuyao, NB/SB Exits of Calamba and Greenfields.
At the Star Tollway, motorists may experience queueing at the toll plazas of Sto. Tomas, Tanauan, Malvar, Balete, Lipa, Ibaan and Batangas City.
Emergency medical service providers and accredited towing services will be posted at strategic locations of Skyway System, SLEX and Star Tollway to promptly respond to any emergency.
The south tollway operators advise motorists to plan their trips and keep their vehicles in excellent running condition to avoid stalling, overheating and other problems, for their own safety and that of other motorists.
Drivers are reminded to stay fit and alert, obey traffic and safety rules, and most importantly, observe the speed limits posted along the expressways.
For cash-paying motorists, SOMCO, MATES and STC ask them to prepare exact toll fees to ease toll plaza queueing. To avail of free RFID stickers for faster entry and exit, vehicle owners may call the RFID Hotline at 318-8655.
For traffic updates, follow @officialSLEX and @SkywaySOMCO on Twitter.
To ask for assistance, report stalled vehicles and other road incidents, call or message: 02 318 (TOLL) 8655, 0917-5398762 or 0999-8860893 for Skyway; 0917 (OURSLEX) 6877539 for SLEX; and 0917 511 (STAR) 7827 or 043-756-7870 for Star Tollway.