The Filipino tradition of Holy Week is just around the corner. For a lot of people living in Metro Manila, this week-long holiday is also the time to do their religious activities, as well as the time to take the family for a well-deserved vacation in their respective provinces.
Naturally, travelers onboard their cars, SUVs, vans, and even 400cc and up motorcycles will use the expressways for a smoother, safer, and faster travel to their destinations.
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll operator of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Manila-Cavite (CAVITEX), CAVITEX C5 Link, and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), is again implementing the “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko” (SMSK) program from April 8 to April 18, 2022.
Now in its 13th year, SMSK is MPTC’s motorist assistance program that is aimed at providing motorists with a safer and more convenient journey during the peak season.
Included in this program are the increased deployment of patrol crews, traffic marshals, security teams, and toll plaza personnel to ensure safety, and provide immediate assistance to motorists. As in the past, emergency medical services and incident response teams will also be augmented and will be stationed at strategic areas of the expressways.
Lane closures and mainline road works will also be suspended from April 8 to 18 unless safety repairs are necessary. Safety and directional signages will be put in place to ensure unimpeded travel. Updated traffic information will continually be posted on each of the expressways’ social media accounts, while the MPTC Hotline (1-35000) will be fully manned 24/7 to address immediate customer concerns. This year’s SMSK will also provide free towing to the nearest exit for Class 1 vehicles, from 6:00 AM of April 13, up to 6:00 AM of April 18.
“With the easing of travel restrictions, there’s a lot more outdoor activity from the general public. As we return to some normalcy as compared to recent years, we have anticipated this increase in volume by fielding additional personnel and offering special roadside services,” said MPTC President and CEO, Rodrigo Franco.
MPT DriveHub
The newest mobile app from MTPC, the MPT DriveHub, is an all-in-one travel app available for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play. The MPT DriveHub integrates three key functions in one: RFID transactions, trip planning, and emergency roadside assistance.
Motorists can check their RFID balance and reload their accounts within MPT DriveHub before they travel on NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, or CALAX. A toll fee calculator is also available in the app to help users calculate how much load they need in their RFID accounts even before they start traveling.
SMSK’s enhanced customer journey services are reflected in MPT DriveHub’s traffic update function, to help motorists anticipate traffic conditions ahead. Further, SMSK’s 24/7 roadside emergency services are just a tap away from the MPT DriveHub’s call button.
“MPT DriveHub is designed to make access and mobility efficient and easy for our customers. Aside from getting to their destination safely and conveniently, we want them to feel secure that we have these customer-centric services so they can focus on enjoying the journey,” added Franco.
Especially when used in conjunction with MPT DriveHub, preparations made by MPTC are expected to improve the mobility of the traveling public for the coming Holy Week.
“The app, the increased manpower deployment, the roadside services identified to respond to our customers’ needs for this coming Holy Week - these initiatives are synergistic – they all come together to create a travel experience that is safer and more relaxing,” closed Franco.
