Week to remember road crash victims pushed in Senate

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Committee on Public Services is set to tackle Wednesday several bills seeking to institutionalize a week every year to remember road crash victims.

The panel’s chair, Senator Grace Poe, who also filed Senate Bill 1069 which seeks to designate the third week of November as “Linggo ng Pag-alala at Paghilom” for road crash victims and their families, said that the measure seeks to raise awareness on causes and consequences of deaths and injuries from road tragedies.

Similar bills were filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto (SB 605), Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (SB 1018), and Senator Ronald dela Rosa (SB 1035).

“We need a time to remember and to acknowledge that more needs to be done to avoid more tragic loss of lives,” Poe said.

“The victims of road crashes call out to us to protect the motorists and commuters. We should respond to this call with hope, determination, and resolution to prevent future tragedies,” she added.

Poe said that during the week of remembrance, victims and survivors of road tragedy can share how the incident changed their lives.

Further, local government units (LGUs) can also organize several activities during the week of remembrance including religious mass services, flower-laying ceremonies, blood donation campaigns, and public awareness campaigns on road safety.

Moreover, LGUs can also designate public spaces as a memorial tribute for victims and survivors, as well as recognize the efforts of emergency and rescue personnel and volunteers.

Citing the World Health Organization Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015, Poe said that 10,379 annual road fatalities are recorded in the country.

In the global sphere, 1.25 million people die from road crash every year, the senator added.

“Oftentimes, the victims and survivors are reduced into mere statistics and only known by the numbers,” Poe said.

The hearing is scheduled on Wednesday, October 2, at 10 a.m., and will be jointly presided by the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes. /je