MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) has reactivated a total of 105 police assistance desks across the province while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reactivated its motorists’ assistance hubs this Lenten season.
“Police visibility is essential especially during this time to ensure peace and order in the province,” PPPO director Col. Rollyfer Capoquian said in an interview on Tuesday.
Of the total, 31 are set up in places of worship, 41 in major thoroughfares, 13 in transport hubs, and 20 in commercial areas.
Aside from assistance desks, tourist police are also deployed on the beaches for the expected influx of people.
Capoquian also urged locals “to abide by the laws and ordinances” in their respective towns and cities to prevent any untoward incidents during the holidays.
Residents are also encouraged to ensure that their houses are properly locked and appliances are unplugged before leaving to prevent theft or fires.
“Ingat sa daan, ingat sa kagamitan. Maraming tao kaya maraming magtake advantage or mananamantala. Kailangan ang cooperation, tulong ng mamamayan para mas ligtas ang komunidad (Take care as you travel and make sure your things are also secured. There will be a lot of people, and many will also take advantage. Public cooperation is needed to ensure the safety of the community),” Capoquian said.
Meanwhile, the DPWH said it would reactivate its Lakbay Alalay Program starting 8 a.m. on April 16 to 5 p.m. on April 19.
DPWH Ilocos Region information officer Esperanza Tinaza said uniformed field and crew personnel with maintenance equipment will be on standby on specific areas across the province during the period.
The DPWH motorists assistance hubs will be located along Pangasinan-Zambales Road; Barangay Longos, San Fabian along Pangasinan-La Union Inter-Provincial Road; Barangay Manat, Binmaley, and Barangay Socony, Lingayen, Pangasinan along Pangasinan-Zambales Road; along the Entrance/Exit of Tarlac Pangasinan La Union Expressway at Manila North Road (MNR), Barangay Palac-Palac, Pozorrubio, Pangasinan; Barangay Linmansangan along Mangaldan-Manaoag-Binalonan Road; MNR, Barangay Anonas in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan; and at MNR, Barangay East, Carmen Section, Rosales, Pangasinan (in front of Quarantine Area Checkpoint); Barangays Maningding; Tuliao, Sta. Barbara; and at Calasiao Junction, Barangay San Miguel, Calasiao, along Urdaneta Junction-Dagupan Road.
Tinaza added that the Emergency Operation Center will be manned by the Maintenance Division of the DPWH Regional Office I, while the Quick Response Teams of the Equipment Management Division will be ready to help with any untoward incident.
“Various highway routine maintenance activities (carriageway and roadsides) were conducted to ensure all national highways shall be thoroughly maintained and kept in good shape for safer travel and ensure the uninterrupted transport flow in the country,” she said.
