Road-crash related injuries remain to be the top cause of death and injuries, especially among children and adolescents according to the DOH Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (ONEISS).
In 2023, 31.1% of the reported injuries were due to transport/vehicular crashes. It is even more alarming since there has been a consistent upward trend in the number of road crash incidents as motor vehicle usage and ownership increase.
The WHO states that road infrastructure has traditionally focused on motorized transport and economic efficiency but not so much on safety, particularly for pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters.
Road infrastructure and urban planning that places pedestrian and cyclist safety first are among the most cost-effective interventions for better road safety outcomes. This not only reduces preventable crashes and related injuries and deaths, but also makes our roads more accessible to all, improving access to transport and mobility for almost 90% of Filipinos who do not use cars.
The DOH affirmed its commitment to pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized vehicles (NMV) as the highest priority in the hierarchy of road users.
“The DOH invites all to move towards safe and healthy communities and better road safety outcomes, through the sustained promotion and protection of active transport.”
“May is Road Safety Month. Dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Buhay Mahalaga, the DOH invites all to move towards safe and healthy communities and better road safety outcomes, through the sustained promotion and protection of active transport,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.
The appropriation and investment of more than P5 billion in the planning and implementation of active transport infrastructure is welcome progress, as active transport can mitigate the increase of non-communicable disease (NCD) conditions like diabetes and obesity, provide resilience to instability in fossil fuel prices, and empower Filipinos to pursue sustainable lifestyles against climate change.
The Department of Health (DOH) expresses its gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for his commitment to prioritize the safety and welfare of pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters through the establishment of active transport facilities such as safe walkways and secure bikeways.
As the chair of the Interagency Technical Working Group on Active Transport, the DOH remains steadfast in its pursuit to improve the awareness, understanding, and attitude of Filipinos towards road safety, and to promote and protect the health of each Filipino through active transport and a safe environment.
“We can make our roads safer!”
“We can make our roads safer!” Herbosa stressed.
Under the 8-Point Action Agenda, the DOH shall ensure pag-iwas sa sakit (disease prevention and health promotion) through multisectoral collaboration via the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2028 (PRSAP) and the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group on Active Transport (IATWG-AT), with the goal of better health outcomes for all Filipino road users.
