Kiko Pangilinan says speed limit around schools must be 30 kph

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is pushing to implement a 30-kilometer-per-hour speed limit around schools, along with other road safety measures, to keep children and the general public safe from road traffic accidents.

Pangilinan cited “alarming statistics on road crash fatalities,” where many of the victims are individuals aged 15 to 29.

According to Pangilinan, nearly 13,000 lives are lost due to road crashes yearly.

“These numbers are unacceptable. We must act decisively to ensure that our roads are not death traps but safe spaces where every Filipino can travel without fear,” said Pangilinan, who is eyeing a Senate comeback via the May 2025 midterm election, during the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

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During the event held Sunday, motorcycle riders’ advocacy group Kagulong presented its four-point Road Safety Agenda, including the creation of the Philippine Road Safety Institute, a 30-kph speed limit in areas with vulnerable road users, faster road repairs, and incorporating road safety education into school curriculums.

Pangilinan, for his part, has committed to supporting all of Kagulong’s initiatives.

“As a father, I cannot stand the thought of more parents losing their children to preventable road crashes,” he said.

“By championing this agenda, we can achieve the global target of a 50 percent reduction in road casualties by 2030,” he added.