In honor of “National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, Survivors and their Families”, proposed Senate Bill No. 1122, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Mimaropa pays tribute to the survivors and victims of road crash accidents in Mindoro provinces.
As endorsed by the United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO), Every third Sunday of November annually, as is the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR).
The activity is a component of LTO Mimaropa’s continuous effort to raise awareness for Road Safety and to trim down road accidents which lead to casualties, traumatic events and devastation to society.
“All employees should continue their active participation in raising road safety awareness especially through extending diligent information dissemination and conducting road safety seminars throughout the region,” as reiterated by LTO Mimaropa Regional Director Hilarion E. Ulep.
The program commenced with a motorcade participated by LTO employees, motorcycle rider groups, tricycle owners and drivers’ association, members of the transport cooperatives and private individuals. A ceremonial mass and vigil were also offered as homage to the departed souls of victims of road deaths.
The remembrance day was highlighted with testimonial of road crash survivors and their families with their stories of loss, grief and healing. The segment of the activity provides an avenue to create a support group for the victims of road accidents and injuries, the distress experienced by the survivors and the impact of traumatic events in their lives.
Most of the speakers were victims of Dimple Star Bus accident in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, wherein at least 19 people died and 21 others were injured when the bus headed to Manila crashed into a 15-meter deep ravine in the said town.
LTO Mimaropa intends to respond to the victims' suffering through an opportunity to take action stressing the importance of road and highway safety across Mindoro provinces.
RD Ulep added that in the recent road crash accident along Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) of Sitio Tabag, Barangay Hagan in town of Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, he assured that the driver’s license of the jeepney (PUJ) driver involved in the crash will be revoke as he endangered the lives of his passengers and caused one casualty.
At the end of the program, LTO Mimaropa reminded the participants to follow traffic laws and to take extra caution when driving to minimize road accidents. Attendees also committed to promote LTO Road Safety Campaign by becoming better drivers and road safety advocates. (Lisabelle Carpio/PIAMimaropa/Calapan)
