Gov’t readies move to ensure road safety

Photo by Ruel Perez /Radyo Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines – The government is determined to impose restrictions in the public transportation system to ensure the safety of the public, a Palace official said on Tuesday.

A day after a Don Mariano Transit bus fell off Skyway and killed 18 people, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said a combination of enforcement, engineering and education will result in a higher standard of safety for the country’s public transportation system.

Coloma recalled how the Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City used to be called “killer highway.”

“At dahil sa mga konkretong measures ng MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) natin – unang-una yung strict enforcement ng 60 kilometer per hour speed limit, pagkatapos yung iba pang engineering improvements sa Commonwealth Avenue, plus intensified education campaign sa mga mamamayan, sa mga operators, sa drivers and the riding public – ay napahusay naman natin yung safety awareness at safety levels ng ating public highways,” he said during a press conference in Malacañang Palace.

(And because of the concrete measures of the MMDA – first of all the strict enforcement of the 60-kilometer per hour speed limit, then the engineering improvements implemented in Commonwealth Avenue, and the intensified education campaign for the people, the operators, the drivers and the riding public – we were able to improve the safety awareness and safety levels of our highways,” he said during a press conference in Malacañang Palace.)

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said concerned agencies are already looking into the possibility of improving the infrastructure at the Skyway to prevent such an accident from happening again.

Read: Palace eyes one-strike policy, infrastructure improvements

Coloma said they are also looking into proposed roadmap or traffic programs by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

On the other hand, the Palace official turned down proposals for the government to take over bus operations.

He said it would only “burden the taxpayers.”

“Kung pwede namang gampanan ang paglilingkod ng pribadong sektor, mas mainam na sila na lang ang magsagawa nito, with proper regulation from the government to protect and promote the public interest,” he said.

(If such a service could be offered by the private sector, it is better for them to take over, with proper regulation from the government to protect and promote the public interest.)

Coloma said he was also open to requiring speed limit devices for public utility vehicles.

However, he said Congress would be in the best position to study the matter and draft a new law.

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