CALABARZON sectors ink covenant on road safety

Tagaytay City (6 September) — To minimize if not eliminate road accidents, regional and provincial officials of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Region IV-A, local chief executives in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (CALABARZON), business sectors, the academe, national and local agencies concerned, and the media personalities joined hands in the Second Round Table Conference of Peace and Road Safety held at the Kimberly Hotel, this city last September 4, 2009.

In this 15th year National Crime Prevention Week Celebration (Sept. 1-7) with the theme: Labanan Ang Krimen, Pamilya Patatagin,” the organizers focused on the safety of the family thru the prevention of road accidents in their respective communities.

Trece Martires City Mayor Melencio De Sagun who is the co-host of the event said the agreement reached by the participants in road safety measures should be implemented as soon as possible and with no exceptions.

“In the United States of America, even national and local political figures are not exempted when they commit traffic violation, police officer will issue them traffic violation receipt”, Mayor Sagun quipped to the delight of the participants.

Also, Mayor Ramon Ilagan of Cainta, Rizal presented to the body the on going programs and projects on effective traffic management in his town.

He explained that proper information and educational campaign on road safety should be the responsibility not only by the implementing arms of the local government, but the citizen itself.

Prior to this, P/C Supt. Perfecto P. Palad, PNP Regional Director of Region IV-A recommended that strict law enforcement, less political interventions, peaceful and law abiding citizens are essential for a successful road safety program in the region.

Director Palad also mentioned that media plays an important role by way of monitoring the traffic situation and guard against abuses committed by the law enforcers.

“Media people can lend respectability and clout to any road safety campaign and be an integral part in educating the public”, Director Palad said.

Presidential Proclamation No. 461, dated August 31, 1995, declares September 1-7 of every year as National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW).

The week-long celebration aims to promote community involvement and participation in crime prevention. Also, to build and maintain public commitment and participation in activities that effectively deters commission of crimes. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite)