MDPPA Culminates Observance Of Road Safety Month

At the fringes of the Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership’s (PGRSP) accord with the global launch of the United Nation’s (UN) Decade of Action for Road Safety (DOARS) 2011-2020 on 11 May 2011, MDPPA launched its “Helmet On, Headlight On (H2O)” Project at the onset of the Road Safety Month by hanging H20 Drop Banners in all Metro Manila offices of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) including its satellite offices in Malls, and Petron Gas Stations nationwide.

On 29 May 2011, less than three hundred motorcycle enthusiasts converged at the Petron Gasoline Station along Diego Silang, C5, Taguig City at six in the morning for a motorcade dubbed as “H2O RUN”.

Led by MDPPA’s Road Safety Committee Chairman, Mr. Gilbert Limjoco, the convoy followed a route that covered portions of C5 Road, Shaw Boulevard, Old Wackwack, Boni Avenue, Pasig Boulevard back to C5 Road to SLEX East Service Road.

The motorcade passed by the residence of Maico Buncio in Mandaluyong as a sign of esteem to the Superbike Champ’s family. The RUN ended at the Honda Safety Driving Center (HSDC) in Bicutan, Parañaque City where a brief ceremony culminated a month-long series of road safety activities.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Rene M. Gener, MDPPA president shared that the H20 Project is the Association’s response to the government’s advocacy on R.A. 10054 (Motorcycle Helmet Act) and A.O. AHS 2008-015 (Rules and Regulations for the Use and Operations of Motorcycles in Highways). MDPPA has been a strong proponent of road safety since day one and becoming even more aggressive in its campaign.

He stressed, however, that it takes collective effort to give safety the priority it deserves. As such, he asked everyone present to also be firm in his active role in demanding that road safety and standards be given the prominence they deserve by being constantly compliant with existing safety and standard laws.

“MDPPA is also committed to put racing where it belongs – at the race track and not on the streets, and keep teenagers who are very keen on releasing their adrenaline in a controlled and safe environment”, Mr. Gener said. Aside from its relentless campaign for road safety, MDPPA will also exert efforts to raise the safety standards of the race tracks to avoid another Maico Buncio incident. Anent this, Mr. Gener requested for a one-minute silence for Maico at the start of his message.

“Let us be more safety-conscious and responsible road users”, said Engr. Albert H. Suansing, Executive Director of the Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership (PGRSP). Everyone must be aware of the danger of wearing substandard helmets, more so of not wearing a helmet. He emphasized that good helmets and their proper use are effective in reducing fatal injuries. He, likewise, highlighted the importance of automatically turning on headlights while on the road.

The mandatory headlights on policy enhances visibility for motorists and can be considered as a low-cost method to reduce crashes and collision given the rising number of motorcycle-related accidents and mishaps in the country, he added. Engr. Suansing, former Chief of the Land Transportation office (LTO) was the proponent of A.O. AHS 2008-015.

Before the symbolic signing of the giant H20 Banner by the MDPPA Board, Guests and Riders Club Officers, Mr. Limjoco reiterated the objective of the H2O Project. The riders also pledged their support to the H2O campaign by affixing their signatures in the giant streamer.

Mr. Francis Rivera of Adventure Team Philippines (Petron’s events partner) in his closing remarks also reiterated on the aim of raising awareness on road safety and accident prevention. It is also important to be aware of the provision of immediate response services for traffic injury victims. Leaflets on road accident first aid were distributed to the riders courtesy of Petron Corporation.

Sponsors for this activity are Petron Corporation and Motoworld. UN ECE-compliant helmets donated by Honda Phils., Inc., Yamaha Motors Phils., Inc. and Motoworld were given away to seven lucky riders. Girlz Ink provided the entertainment during the event.