Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año stressed Friday, June 17, that the local government units (LGUs) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) should free the national highways from tricycles and pedicabs unless allowed by local ordinances in the absence of alternate routes for the safety of the children attending face-to-face classes.

He issued the call after reminding all the localities to continue and follow-through on the implementation of the nationwide Road Clearing Operation (RCO) and campaign against tricycles on national highways “to protect children from road accidents following the shift of schools to the face-to-face conduct of classes.’’

“The Road Clearing Ops and no trike on national highway campaign have to be sustained. Hindi puwedeng ningas-kugon (It should not start with passion and end with lack of interest). We urge our LGUs to continue and sustain their successes to protect our children from road accidents, lalo na ngayong papalapit na ang (especially with the start of) face-to-face classes,” Año said.

Out of the 41,365 barangays covered by the RCO initiative, Año noted that 93.53 percent or 38,690 barangays continue to respond to the call to clear streets of obstructions for the month of March 2022 with the latest data submitted on May 6, 2022.

He said that all regions were above the 80 percent adherence rate, establishing the hard work performed in the barangays in ensuring that their streets are free from obstructions and are safe for children to travel.

“Malaking tagumpay ito sa pagtiyak natin na magiging ligtas ang ating mga anak sa kalsada. Hinihikayat natin ang mga LGU na protektahan ang mga bata sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatutuloy ng mga nasimulan ng programang ito sa susunod na administrasyon (This is a huge success to ensure the safety of our children on the streets. We urge the LGUs to protect the children through the programs which shall be continued by the next administration),’’ he added.

Likewise, Año explained that each city and municipality should activate their respective tricycle task forces that are separate from the tricycle regulatory boards to formulate or review its tricycle route plan.

“Kadalasang tricycle ang sinasakyan ng mga bata sa pagpasok sa eskuwela kaya naman mahalaga na tiyaking ng mga LGUs na ligtas ang daan at sumusunod ang mga drayber sa mga limitasyon nila (Most of the time, children ride on tricycles on their way to school that is why it is important for the LGUs to make sure that the roads are safe and the drivers observe their limitations),’’ he noted.

Policies vs road traffic injuries

Año added that newly-elected officials (NEOs) must also look at formulating policies that lead to the protection of children from road accidents for this will play a critical role in ensuring that they are safe on the streets and far from road traffic injuries.

He encouraged them to include in their priority programs and/or continue existing road safety initiatives protecting children from road accidents and penalizing individuals exposing children to possibility of involvement in road traffic injuries.

The DILG chief said that the NEOs have the most opportune prospects as new LGU officials to dictate the pace and introduce new programs on top of their platforms.

“As the influx of children travel on roadways going and back from their schools, children are exposed to road accidents. These policies on road safety can save lives and reduce road collision deaths and injuries,” he explained.

Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya enjoined the LGUs to participate in the Nationwide Child Road Safety Law Enforcement Visibility activities where the government’s effort on road safety for children will be highlighted.

He emphasized that the cities such as Quezon, Valenzuela, Tuguegarao, Danao, Ormoc, and Zamboanga are participating in the said event by setting up separate checkpoints, particularly around schools, to distribute information, education and communication materials on various road safety laws.

“We are likewise encouraging all LGUs nationwide to join us in Nationwide Child Road Safety Law Enforcement Visibility activities and participate by initiating parallel activities, advocacy efforts, and related programs in preparation for the opening of classes,” Malaya said.

The Nationwide Child Road Safety Law Enforcement Visibility activities are part of the government’s ‘Oplan Balik Eskuwela’ and is spearheaded by the National Coalition for Child Road Traffic Injury Prevention in partnership with national government agencies and civil society organizations.