No major accidents from Metro to Tarlac

CAMP MAKABULOS, Tarlac — Except for a man who was injured after he was hit by an owner-type jeep here, no major road accidents occurred during the All Saints’ Day rush between Metro Manila and this province, a "natural stopover" to Northern Luzon.

Reports identified the lone accident victim as Johnny Domingo, who was sideswiped along the Romulo Highway in Camiling town.

Vehicular traffic along the northbound lanes of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the MacArthur, Maharlika and Romulo highways eased yesterday, but authorities expect gridlocks on the southbound lanes until tomorrow morning as people rush back to Metro Manila.

In Tarlac, provincial administrator Jopeth Villa Agustin said police and traffic personnel, along with volunteers from radio communication groups and military reservists, remain on alert in overseeing alternate routes to MacArthur Highway, and manning motorist assistance centers.

Designated as alternate route to MacArthur Highway is the province’s eastern municipal road network linking the towns of Ramos, Pura, Victoria, La Paz and Concepcion.

This road network can be accessed via the national highway in the towns of Paniqui and Gerona, and in Barangay Salapungan in Tarlac City.

Meanwhile, motorists have been advised anew of "chokepoints" along the NLEX. These are at the Camachile and Valenzuela exits, and at the interchanges in Balintawak, Meycauayan (Bulacan) and Sta. Rita (Pampanga).

Traffic is also expected to become heavy today at the NLEX’s exits in Mexico, where two shopping malls are located, Sta. Ines and Dau, and portions of MacArthur Highway in Mabalacat, all in Pampanga.