Road mishaps claim 35 lives daily

MANILA, Philippines — BHW party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co said over the weekend that 35 people died per day, or 12,690 died yearly, due to road crash incidents in the country.

Co, chairperson of the House committee on welfare of children, said this figure presented by UNICEF Philippines must compel authorities to put in place “systemic measures” to reduce the number of child and teenage casualties on the country’s roads.

She said every city, municipality and barangay in the country must have their own Child Road Traffic Injury Prevention (CRTIP) program.

Co cited that CRTIP was piloted in Valenzuela and Zamboanga City.

“The CRTIP must be scaled and rolled out nationwide, or at least initially in all the cities,” Co said.

She noted that adult motorcycle riders and their child passengers are at very high risk of fatal crashes.

“DOTr (Department of Transportation) and DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) should also study how a pedestrian insurance or indemnity fund can be established, or how CTPL (compulsory third party liability) insurance can help motorists more than at present,” she added.