Press Release - Tolentino calls on private sector to help clear Maharlika Highway, clogged with vehicles due Kristine's flooding, to make way for trucks with relief goods

MANILA, Philippines - Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino called on the private sector on Saturday to help government's efforts to clear the way for trucks loaded with relief goods along Maharlika Highway in San Fernando town, Camarines Sur, which has been clogged by stranded vehicles stalled by deep flooding.

Tolentino said that the private sector's help is very welcome and appreciated to clear the way to hasten the delivery of relief goods for communities affected by severe flooding in the localities of Bicol's catch basin area.

He particularly appealed to firms like construction companies with heavy equipment to volunteer their resources to clear the clogged portion of the Maharlika Highway, Asian Highway 26 (AH26), located in Camarines Sur, which traverses between the Bicol region and Metro Manila.

As of Saturday morning, reports reaching the senator confirmed that the trucks carrying relief goods of institutions like the Philippine Red Cross, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other civil society groups and networks are still stranded in Milaor town, 15 kilometers north of Naga City.

"I am appealing to the private sector, especially construction firms with heavy equipment, to help unclog the main artery going to and coming from Metro Manila. Even one lane, to make way for the vehicles carrying relief goods to reach the survivors of the extensive and massive flooding in Camarines Sur," Tolentino said in a statement.

Since Oct. 21, hundreds of vehicles that traveled south from Metro Manila to Bicol provinces, Visayas, and Mindanao, as well as other local vehicles have been stranded, and have blocked the highway.

Tolentino received a report from Mayor Cris Lizardo, who called him up to give an update on the massive flooding in the Bicol River Basin town of Minalabac in Camarines Sur province, and the traffic situation on Maharlika Highway.

"Maraming tulong, mayor, parating; marami nagpadala ng tulong at may mga nandiyan na, kaya lang hindi makadaan...yong (problema sa) accessibility, ang problema kung papano ide-deliver kasi barado nga iyong daan," he assured the mayor of Minalabac.

(There is lots of help coming, mayor; many have sent