The Philippine National Police (PNP) has discussed with a top official of the United Nations measures to promote road safety in the Philippines amid alarming data on road accidents in the country.
For this year alone, the PNP has recorded at least 1,499 deaths from January 1 to April 11. The death toll came from nearly 50,000 road accidents this year.
Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. extended his appreciation to Mr. Jean Todt for initiating the courtesy meeting, which he said, is a significant move towards establishing a more robust partnership with the United Nations to promote a safer and more sustainable nation.
Todt is the UN’s Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety.
He was met with PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia during a courtesy call at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“The meeting on Wednesday at the PNP National headquarters aims to promote awareness of road safety issues and discuss ways to reduce road accidents and fatalities,” said Azurin.
During the meeting, Sermonia discussed the challenges faced by the PNP in enforcing road safety regulations and reducing road crash fatalities and injuries in the country.
They also discussed strategies for improving road safety, including the importance of increasing public awareness, improving infrastructure, and strengthening law enforcement.
Todt, a French motor racing executive and former CEO of Ferrari, commended the PNP for the efforts to address road safety challenges and noted the need for continued collaboration among stakeholders to reduce road crashes and casualties.
He also emphasized the importance of investing in road safety measures and strengthening road safety regulations to ensure safer roads for all.
“We need to work together with other sectors and stakeholders to achieve our objective. We believe that this collaboration can be achieved through the development of a national road safety plan that considers the unique characteristics of our country,” said Sermonia.
The meeting is part of the UN's ongoing efforts to engage with stakeholders globally and to promote the UN's Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 to reduce road deaths and injuries by 50 percent by 2030.