Naga city: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol has intensified road preparations along the Maharlika Highway ahead of the large number of devotees and visitors going to Naga City for the 2026 Feast of Our Lady of Pe±afrancia this September. DPWH Bicol Regional Director Khadaffy Tanggol directed district engineers to establish Motorist Assistance Centers (MACs) under the Lakbay Alalay Program at strategic locations along national highways to provide immediate assistance to motorists and commuters traveling to and from Naga City during the festival.
According to Philippines News Agency, a total of 13 MACs have been established across the region, with four in Albay, two in Camarines Norte, five in Camarines Sur, and two in Sorsogon. The centers will operate from Sept. 10 to 12 and Sept. 17 to 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The DPWH-5 Maintenance Division will also deploy roving teams to monitor sections of the Maharlika Highway and help ensure the safety and accessibility of major routes leading to Naga City and other pilgrimage destinations. The measures are part of the agency's preparations for the expected increase in motorists and travelers during the Pe±afrancia festivities.
Meanwhile, the Naga City Emergency Operations Center-Incident Management Team issued a traffic advisory for the Traslacion Procession on Sept. 11, reminding motorists and commuters to plan their routes ahead of time. The procession will start at the Pe±afrancia Shrine and proceed through Pe±afrancia Avenue, P. Burgos Street, E. Angeles Street, and Iglesia Road before ending at the Metropolitan Cathedral. Road closures will begin at 9 a.m., with selected roads placed under one-way and two-way traffic schemes to facilitate the movement of devotees and motorists.
Several major roads and intersections affected by the traffic scheme include portions of Panganiban Drive, Pe±afrancia Avenue, J. Hernandez Street, Magsaysay Avenue, Abella Street, Panganiban-M. Castro-Misericordia area, Dayangdang, Sta. Cruz, Bagumbayan, and Jacob Street. Authorities also designated parking areas for motorists arriving from different directions. Southbound travelers may use designated areas along Felix Plazo Street and Mabolo C5 Road, while northbound motorists may park at the Northbound Terminal, Mt. Villanueva, Naga Central School, the Old Grandstand, and nearby schools.
For eastbound travelers from Pili, Bula, Nabua, Iriga, Goa, the Partido area, Legazpi, and Tabaco, designated parking areas include the Naga City Science High School-Leon Aureus/Balatas area, City Hall Compound, Civic Center, Robinsons Place, SM Naga, and other identified sites along Balatas and San Felipe. In Barangay Dayangdang, Colgante/Dayangdang and the area in front of Orange Dormitel will be closed, while portions of Panganiban, M. Castro, and Dayangdang roads will be placed under one-way traffic. Authorities advised motorists and commuters to check the traffic scheme, use designated parking areas, and allow additional travel time during the procession and other major Pe±afrancia activities.
