A road safety summit was conducted to address the growing numbers of motorcycle-related accidents and road crashes, as well as provide a refresher on road safety tips.
The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) mounted the first-ever Road Safety Summit last Oct. 19, in which they invited motorcycle drivers from all around Mindanao.
The riders attended discussions on national road safety plans and existing laws and ordinances to minimize road crashes in the region.
“The objective of this summit is to address the problem of road safety and basically to increase awareness, especially among motorcycle riders, on the importance of road safety,” MDPPA president Alfredo O. Lejano said.
He also said that the summit enabled relevant government government organizations to discuss road safety-related issues with the riders.
“This is an opportunity for these government organizations such as the Land Transportation Office and the Department of Transportation to communicate their national road safety plans and address the rise of motorcycle-related road incidents in recent years,” he said.
The MDPPA invited and joined forces with the DOTr, LTO, Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group, City Transport and Traffic Management Office, World Health Organization, and the Philippine Red Cross. These organizations also took part in the recent summit in the city, in which they imparted tips and information regarding road safety.
Lizzette Fajardo, MDPPA vice president, also said that the riders who attended the summit from Davao region were among the most enthusiastic crowd that they have.
“Imagine from 9 (a.m.) we started up until almost 1 (p.m.), they never lost energy, they never lost participation in the event, we were really surprised with the kind of participation and action, interest as well, that they have this activity,” she said.
Meanwhile, Councilor Condrado Baluran, council committee chair on transportation and communications, said it is the responsibility of each rider to know the proper rules and regulations.
“They will have to obey our ordinances in the city. It is very important that they listen to the discussion regarding road safety, in that way they will be knowledgeable of the ways to stray away from possible accidents. Also, it is important that they listen and put what they learned in their hearts,” the councilor said in an interview.
Meanwhile, the councilor said the proposal to impose jail terms for driving without license is still being evaluated for legal impediments.
“So, after we already have it from the City Legal Office, we can pass it to the plenary already for approval. Those who are caught apprehended and cannot present their driver’s license will be criminally charged,” he said. “That will discipline our motorists.”
The ordinance will also mandate motorcycle riders to wear reflectorized vest.
“Motorcycles and tricycles are among those that are mostly involved in (road) crashes, especially in Marilog. Motorcycle accidents in that area are most likely to occur because some of these drivers have no license,” he also said.
The summit was conducted at the TESDA-KorPhil Training Center in Tibungco, Davao City.
