Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has reaffirmed the commitment of the provincial government “to do all that is necessary to improve the safety of our roads, to avert road accidents from taking the lives of the vulnerable members of our community”.
Lacson, in his message during the 15th World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, held at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon and Park on Sunday, Nov. 15, said the “tragic and senseless loss of precious lives and limbs on our roads should not leave us shocked and numbed”.
Rather, this should challenge everyone to reexamine safety measures, rethink behaviors while in public roads and highways, and improve and adopt new ways to ensure the safety of all motorists, bikers, and pedestrians.
“Road accidents are actually preventable, and we hold the solutions in our hands,” Lacson said in his message delivered by Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II. He stressed the important roles of all sectors and government agencies in the campaign to making streets safe for everyone.
The 2020 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in Negros Occidental kicked off with a virtual memorial service officiated by the Marian Missionaries of the Holy Cross at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City, followed by a prayer and candle lighting ceremony at the Capitol Park and Lagoon.
Present at the ceremony were Diaz, Jehza Guzon, Girl Scouts of the Philippines Council executive, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office director, P/Col. Romeo Palgue, Project CARES Chairperson May Cueva, and PSsg Jose Marcelo Bana-ay of the Police Highway Patrol Group.
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Accident Victims and Survivors advocacy was first launched in the Philippines in 2006.
But even after 15 years of campaign, road traffic deaths continue to rise in the country based on the World Health Organization. The WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety also showed that road traffic injury is now the leading killer of children and young people.
“For some of us here gathered today, this reality is more than just a statistical fact. Rather, we have been actual witnesses to the sudden and tragic loss of life on the roads. We suffered from the personal and painful experience of losing a loved one, a family or a friend, in a road accident,” Lacson’s message stated.
“And so, we remember those who fell victim and passed away…and those who survived and are left behind to suffer the loss. We commemorate this day in their honor”, he added.
