DAVAO ORIENTAL – In the effort to create a culture of safety in the transport system, a Road Advocacy Seminar was recently held at the Provincial Capitol which saw the participation of some 300 employees on Monday, February 4.
The Provincial Government and its partner agencies in public order and safety namely the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office (DOPPO), and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have spearheaded the activity.
LTO Provincial Head Mr. Joelito Mandaya said that the activity was part of the existing Memorandum of Agreement between the Provincial Government and partner stakeholders for Road Safety to promote road safety advocacy.
“Road safety is not the concern of one agency but it is a concern of all especially all the employees of Davao Oriental who should serve as the model for other drivers here in our province,” he said.
He reminded all motorists to follow all traffic laws and regulations since obeying traffic rules and regulation is not only about tackling legal issue as it also deals with lives.
He further reminded all motorists that his agency and other deputized agencies like the Philippine National Police will not be selective as far as law enforcement is concerned.
Mandaya educated participants on the LTO rules, laws, and regulations and present issuances, wherein, aside from traffic safety rules, he also emphasized the importance of registering vehicles and securing a driver’s license.
He urged motorists not only to comply with the requirements in order to prevent huge dues and penalties but more importantly wield safety precautions in driving to prevent road accidents.
Based on the data from the DOPPO, out of the 169 road accidents recorded in 2018, 36 deaths were recorded. This is more than enough for the local authorities to express their concern. “One death recorded is more than enough to cause an alarm.”
Meanwhile, the PNP through its “DavOr Oplan Kalinaw”, road safety is even more intensified said PSUPT Rosauro Francisco Jr. of the DOPPO.
DILG Provincial Director Yvette Tolentino-Sunga laid emphasis on the Implementing Guidelines on Banning of Tricycles in National Highway and Pedicab Franchising in local government units which is in connection to the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).
DPWH emphasized the role of convergence among agencies for the department to establish safety measures along the highway. Suzette Waniwan, one of the two representatives from the DPWH discussed the department’s bid, through vital data coming from other agencies concerned, to put proper roads signs and street lights in order to enhance road conditions and lessen road accidents.
Road safety stakeholders hope to replicate the same advocacy campaign in other municipalities to boost safe transport not only for motorist but also for pedestrians.
The LTO further express its hopes to lobby to the DILG to make LTO Laws Substantial Compliance among LGUs will soon form part of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). Photos by Rhea Shane Laureano
