Lack of road signs blamed for Cordillera mishaps rise

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—The number of road accidents in the Cordillera has been increasing since last year and local officials are pinning part of the blame on lack or shortage of road safety signs.

Basilio Munar, an engineer of the Center for Health and Development (CHD) in the Cordillera, said records showed that also among the leading causes of accidents in the region are poor road conditions in upland areas, drunk driving and the use of mobile phones while on the road.

Last year, the CHD recorded 117 injuries and 28 deaths from five accidents between January and May. In the same period this year, the office recorded 110 injuries and 18 deaths from 22 accidents. Munar said the figures were based on monitoring of the health emergency management system of the Department of Health.

Munar said road signs are effective early warning devices but many motorists in the region have encountered difficulty in seeing them clearly especially during heavy fog and rains.

He said road conditions and safety signs in and near Baguio City and other urban areas in the region are adequate. However, roads in remote areas in the Cordillera need more attention, he said.

“The number of deaths and injuries may have decreased in [January to May] this year, but the number of vehicular accidents has increased,” Munar said.

He said while some of the accidents are caused by poor road conditions, motorists, drivers, vehicle owners and pedestrians should share the blame.

“Some accidents are caused by faulty brakes. These happen because of the poor maintenance of vehicles. We also hear reports of drivers driving under the influence of alcohol. Even pedestrians are hard-headed. Many motorcycle drivers do not use helmets and some are drunk as they drive fast,” he said.

Most accidents in the Cordillera occur from January to May on the roads of Bokod and Tuba towns in Benguet, Kennon Road in Baguio City and Benguet, and Tinoc town in Ifugao.

In August last year, a La Union-bound bus plunged into a ravine along Naguilian Road in Sablan, Benguet, killing 41 passengers.

Munar said the Department of Public Works and Highways started using a multi-surveyor vehicle last year to test the condition of roads in the Cordillera. The vehicle will assess if roads are up to international standards in terms of design, engineering and strength.

Munar said the government committed to support the international campaign on road safety when President Aquino signed Proclamation No. 159, which outlined the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan for the next 10 years in support of a global campaign to reduce road deaths and vehicular accidents. Desiree Caluza, Inquirer Northern Luzon