In line with the directive of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista to ensure the safety of all road users, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II has ordered all Regional Directors and District Office heads to intensify road safety seminars for tricycle drivers.
Prior to this, the LTO had recently launched Learning Centers for Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs) in different parts of the Philippines. These centers were established to help educate TODA members about road safety.
LTO Head Orders Road Safety Seminars for Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs)
“Marami na tayong nakitang mga viral videos kung saan ang tricycles na pumapasada ang pinagsisimulan ng road rage. Nais nating proteksyunan ang mga kaibigan nating mga TODA members (We’ve seen many viral videos where tricycles were the cause of road rage. We want to protect TODA members) by equipping them with knowledge on road safety,” according to Asst. Sec. Mendoza, as stated in a Facebook post by Land Transportation Office – Philippines.
The LTO Chief stated that they would like to set up many TODA Learning Centers, especially since many tricycle drivers depend on their job to support their families. These centers aim to educate TODA members about their rights and responsibilities on the road.
Follow the Rules, Ensure Safety
In addition, Asst. Sec. Mendoza asked LTO Regional Directors and District Office heads, along with Extension and Satellite Office heads — to conduct road safety seminars for all tricycle drivers in their respective areas of responsibility. Likewise, he asked them to ensure strong coordination with local government units (LGUs), which issue permits to operate to tricycle drivers.
“Lahat tayo ay may karapatang gumamit ng kalsada. Subalit may mga batas at regulasyon na dapat sundin upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa (All of us have the right to use the road. But there are laws and regulations to be followed, to ensure the safety of everyone),” the LTO Chief explained.
Reducing Road Accidents in PH
Meanwhile, according to the United Nations, 1.3 million people die every year because of road accidents. More than half or 58% percent of these incidents occur in the Asia-Pacific region. In fact, based on UN data, an average of 32 people die in the Philippines everyday due to road accidents.
Hence, DOTr Secretary Bautista is keen on reducing the number of road accidents in the country through the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan. This was presented during the Asia Pacific Road Safety Observatory 2023 Annual Meeting.
“Our goal of reducing road accident deaths by 35 percent by 2028 and by 50 percent by 2033 was endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly,” Sec. Bautista stated. “This is part of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan that actively promotes road safety.”
Final Thoughts
Aside from buses and jeepneys, tricycles are among the most common means of public transportation in the Philippines. Hence, road safety seminars for TODA tricycles must be intensified, indeed. This way, tricycle drivers would be more aware of their duties, and be sure to follow traffic rules and regulations on the road.