The Metro Pacific Tollways South (MPT South) launched an activity book called ‘Bayani Ka’ at the Parañaque City Library on Sept. 29 that aims to instill in children knowledge of road safety.
The "Bayani Ka" activity book is a comic-inspired interactive book for kids that aims to instill in children the knowledge of road signs and familiarize them with the safety features of the roads, especially on the expressways.
It also has quizzes, coloring pages, word searches, and other activities that will help boost their developmental skills.
According to Arlette Capistrano, MPT South Assistant Vice President for Communication and Stakeholder Management, the activity book will be distributed to different elementary schools, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) children's centers and shelters for vulnerable youth, and public libraries in the host communities of MPT South in Metro Manila, Cavite, and Laguna.
.The book launch was held at the Paranaque City Library and was attended by Mayor Eric Olivarez, Mar Jimenez from the office of 1st District Representative Edwin Olivarez, Department of Education (DepEd) Youth Formation Division OIC-Chief Rovin James Canja, ImagineLaw’s Road Safety Project Manager Atty. Daphne Marcelo.
During the launching of the activity book, the MPT South introduced "Cavi," the 7-year-old grade school student and main character of the book who learned road safety practices and went as far as sharing the practices with his friends in school, thus equipping them with tools on how to better navigate the roads.
"MPT South will continue to work to improve road safety and safe journey for children who have a higher risk of road traffic injuries, especially now that children have begun face-to-face classes after a two-year lockdown,” according to Capistrano.
Capistrano said the book is also a testament to Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation's (MPTC) commitment to support UNICEF’s joint effort in Child Road Safety and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 3.6 to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic incidents, and 11.2 to provide access to sustainable transportation systems for all, improving road safety and public transport, with special attention to the needs of vulnerable populations, including children.
"We are grateful to the management of CAVITEX for being one with us in championing the welfare of our children, through their Bayani Ka Activity book. Let me assure everyone that Parañaque City under my leadership will continue to support all efforts in educating our young ones, as well as in creating and maintaining more secured and safer access, roads, and thoroughfares for them," said Olivarez.