'Sense of urgency and grief': Coalition urges DOTr, gov't agencies to make PH roads safer | ABS-CBN
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'Sense of urgency and grief': Coalition urges DOTr, gov't agencies to make PH roads safer
'Sense of urgency and grief': Coalition urges DOTr, gov't agencies to make PH roads safer
The New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC) replaced the bollard barrier damaged during a car crash at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
The New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC) replaced the bollard barrier damaged during a car crash at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — In light of the recent tragic deaths from road crashes at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway, a coalition of over 26 civil society groups has urged the Department of Transportation and other related government agencies to implement a "coordinated leadership on road safety".
MANILA — In light of the recent tragic deaths from road crashes at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway, a coalition of over 26 civil society groups has urged the Department of Transportation and other related government agencies to implement a "coordinated leadership on road safety".
In a release, Move as One coalition said that May — the country's Road Safety month — had "began under the shadow of death" after back-to-back road crash in NAIA that killed two people on May 4 and in SCTEX which claimed 12 lives on May 1.
In a release, Move as One coalition said that May — the country's Road Safety month — had "began under the shadow of death" after back-to-back road crash in NAIA that killed two people on May 4 and in SCTEX which claimed 12 lives on May 1.
The group said the almost daily headlines about road crashes serve as symptoms of a "systematic failure" in producing an evidence-based and effective intervention to prevent tragic road accidents.
The group said the almost daily headlines about road crashes serve as symptoms of a "systematic failure" in producing an evidence-based and effective intervention to prevent tragic road accidents.
In its letter to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Road Transport and Infrastructure Undersecretary Mark Pastor, Road Transport and Non-infrastructure Undersecretary Ramon Reyes, Land Transportation Office Asst. Sec. Vigor Mendoza, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Teofilo Guadiz — Move as One urged the government agencies to link hands to make roads safer for vehicles and commuters, as well as ensure effective implementation of Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (PRSAP) 2023–2028.
In its letter to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Road Transport and Infrastructure Undersecretary Mark Pastor, Road Transport and Non-infrastructure Undersecretary Ramon Reyes, Land Transportation Office Asst. Sec. Vigor Mendoza, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Teofilo Guadiz — Move as One urged the government agencies to link hands to make roads safer for vehicles and commuters, as well as ensure effective implementation of Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (PRSAP) 2023–2028.
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The coalition recommended the following:
The coalition recommended the following:
1. Legislative and administrative actions - Encourage Congress to refile and the President to sign a bill creating an independent road safety board, have a clear lead for PRSAP implementation, and activating organic road safety units within the DOTr and other agencies
1. Legislative and administrative actions - Encourage Congress to refile and the President to sign a bill creating an independent road safety board, have a clear lead for PRSAP implementation, and activating organic road safety units within the DOTr and other agencies
2. Revision of outdated guidelines and practices - Focus on updating road design manuals to be keen on safety, traffic calming installations, daylighting, and for DOTr to overhaul the content and implementation of the LTO mandatory driving courses
2. Revision of outdated guidelines and practices - Focus on updating road design manuals to be keen on safety, traffic calming installations, daylighting, and for DOTr to overhaul the content and implementation of the LTO mandatory driving courses
3. Strengthen inter-agency coordination - Support the reconstitution of the Inter-Agency Road Safety Committee, activate the RA 11468 National Working Committee, formalize MOAs for joint implementation with other government offices, and support interim coordination mechanism.
3. Strengthen inter-agency coordination - Support the reconstitution of the Inter-Agency Road Safety Committee, activate the RA 11468 National Working Committee, formalize MOAs for joint implementation with other government offices, and support interim coordination mechanism.
"We believe these steps are not just technical or procedural. They signal whether our government is fully committed to saving lives on our roads. Every day of delay is a day that more families risk losing a loved one in a preventable road crash," the Move as One coalition added.
"We believe these steps are not just technical or procedural. They signal whether our government is fully committed to saving lives on our roads. Every day of delay is a day that more families risk losing a loved one in a preventable road crash," the Move as One coalition added.
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PUNISHMENTS, MEASURES TO LESSEN ROAD CRASHES
The Philippine government has expressed concern on numerous road crashes and cases of road rage in the country.
The Philippine government has expressed concern on numerous road crashes and cases of road rage in the country.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero earlier called for the revocation of licenses of drivers involved in road rage and road crashes, saying viral "kamote" drivers are putting people's lives at risk.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero earlier called for the revocation of licenses of drivers involved in road rage and road crashes, saying viral "kamote" drivers are putting people's lives at risk.
"Kamote", a play on the Filipino word for sweet potato, is slang for undisciplined motorists who are said to scratch their heads when they figure in accidents.
"Kamote", a play on the Filipino word for sweet potato, is slang for undisciplined motorists who are said to scratch their heads when they figure in accidents.
"To ensure that our roads are safe from these motorists, their licenses should be revoked, not suspended," he said, adding that discipline is necessary and the 90-day suspension imposed by the LTO is not enough.
"To ensure that our roads are safe from these motorists, their licenses should be revoked, not suspended," he said, adding that discipline is necessary and the 90-day suspension imposed by the LTO is not enough.
Dizon meanwhile announced earlier this month that the government will impose stiffer measures like mandatory drug testing for drivers, stricter and enforceable road worthiness checks, implementation of the Speed Limiter Act, and enhanced driver education.
Dizon meanwhile announced earlier this month that the government will impose stiffer measures like mandatory drug testing for drivers, stricter and enforceable road worthiness checks, implementation of the Speed Limiter Act, and enhanced driver education.
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