DPWH’s ‘Lakbay‑Alalay’ ensures safe, convenient Holy Week travel for Caraganons
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Travel for Caraganons this Holy Week is expected to be safer and more convenient with the reactivation of the “Lakbay‑Alalay Program” by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the region.
This initiative supports national directives, including President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for compassion, service, and orderly observance of the Lenten season ahead of Easter Sunday.
In a message marking the start of Holy Week 2026, President Marcos underscored the values of compassion and service as guiding principles during this solemn period, expressing solidarity with Filipinos taking time to reflect on the Passion of Christ while also encouraging peaceful, safe travel and family reunions.
The Lakbay‑Alalay Program, implemented nationwide in all regional and district engineering offices, aims to provide timely and efficient assistance to motorists, especially during peak travel periods when many families return to their home provinces or visit places of worship. Services include road assistance, traffic information, and emergency response.
From April 1 at 8:00 a.m. to April 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., Motorists Assistance Teams will be deployed across key areas in the Caraga Region. According to DPWH Caraga OIC‑Regional Director Sabeniano D. Caliao Jr., 21 assistance stations have been established in the entire region, including two in Butuan City; two in Agusan del Norte; four in Agusan del Sur; four in Surigao del Norte; six in Surigao del Sur; and three in Dinagat Islands.
“We have activated the Lakbay‑Alalay Program in all regional and district engineering offices, with 21 stations across Caraga, to ensure that motorists are assisted throughout the Holy Week,” Director Caliao said.
He added that DPWH has coordinated with other concerned agencies, such as the Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, and local government units, to provide round‑the‑clock service through personnel shifting.
At the national level, the DPWH has directed all regional and district offices to monitor major highways, provide timely traffic advisories, assist motorists and coordinate with other government agencies to prevent accidents and ensure smooth travel during the Holy Week observance.
Through this coordinated initiative and the President’s guidance on safety and compassionate observance, motorists in Caraga are expected to experience safer, more organized, and more convenient travel, supporting both residents and visitors during Holy Week 2026. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
