To address the escalating traffic congestion along the Maharlika Highway, especially in the town of Diadi, Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito has mandated law enforcers to issue citation tickets to drivers violating traffic management rules and counterflowing in congested areas throughout the province. This directive was announced during a consultative meeting attended by representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) , Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM), and contractors involved in ongoing road construction projects.
Violators caught disregarding traffic signs and traffic law enforcers will be fined PHP 1,000 and PHP 2,000, respectively, per violation, in accordance with Republic Act 4136.
Counterflowing vehicles have been identified as a major cause of traffic slowdowns in road construction areas along the Maharlika Highway in Nueva Vizcaya. In response, Engr. Melecio Tumbali of the DPWH announced that all road construction activities will be temporarily halted from December 20 to January 5, 2025. This pause aims to open both lanes to traffic, easing the congestion expected due to the influx of holiday travelers entering and exiting the Cagayan Valley region. This measure is intended to facilitate smoother traffic flow during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Adding to these efforts, Pol Col Jectopher Haloc reported that the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Police Office (NVPPO) has deployed 120 police personnel, with 60 officers per shift, to monitor and assist in managing the traffic flow in the town of Diadi. The slow traffic along the Maharlika Highway has been a significant concern, drawing heavy criticism from travelers on social media.
The meeting also resulted in several proposed solutions, including the installation of additional traffic signages at road construction sites along the Maharlika Highway from Diadi to Sta. Fe. These signages will guide travelers and ensure better adherence to traffic laws, which will be strictly enforced by law enforcers.
Directional signages will also be placed at entry points to safe alternate routes to provide options for travelers wishing to avoid heavy traffic at construction sites.
Traffic management personnel will implement more effective ‘Go and Stop Time Intervals’ at road construction sites along the Maharlika Highway throughout the province.
These initiatives are expected to significantly reduce the travel woes of commuters and travelers affected by the heavy traffic at road construction sites on the National Highway in Nueva Vizcaya. /RMI
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