To commemorate the lives that were lost from road mishaps, President Duterte signed a law which designates the third Sunday of November as the national day of remembrance for road crash victims.
According to Republic Act 11468, “It is the policy of the national government to ensure the protection and safety of its people from any form of road hazards and to value human lives by way of remembering the victims of road crashes and recognizing the sufferings of their affected families and communities.”
The measure stated that a “National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, Survivors and Their Families” must be declared to raise the people’s awareness on the causes and repercussions of road deaths and injuries.
The law orders the Department of Transportation, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to ensure the implementation of relevant programs and activities to ensure the meaningful observance of the “National Day of Remembrance”.
The law also mandates the holding of commemorative ceremonies, including wreath-laying offerings, candlelight vigil, solidarity march and special assemblies in the provinces, cities and municipalities across the country.
Local government units are also encouraged to put up memorials and tributes in strategic public spaces to remind the public on the importance of road safety.
According to the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG), an average of four people die in road mishaps every day.
The HPG reported that out of the 9,663 road accidents that happened from January to September 2019, 1,186 were killed, which could have been avoided if the drivers were more careful on the road.
The highest number of deaths was recorded in February with 188, followed by 186 in September, and April with 161.
The HPG said that 8,809 road accidents that occurred last year were caused by reckless driving, such as bad overtaking, speeding, drunk driving, and cellphone usage while driving.
