Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson Raffy Tulfo expressed concern about the accidents and deaths on the Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon (Marilaque) Highway in Region IV-A because of motorcycle racing.
Due to the number of accidents recorded here, the area has even tagged “Killer Highway” or “Devil’s Corner.”
“Riders frequent the area to race and practice stunts especially every weekend.”
During the recent hearing of the said Committee, Ariel Lim, president of the National Public Transport Coalition, said that riders frequent the area to race and practice stunts especially every weekend. Lim added that even passing private vehicles are being affected.
In fact, just this January 26, there was a reported motorcycle rider who figured in an accident in Marilaque.
This prompted Tulfo to oblige the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to expand their visibility and place an outpost on the said highway so that they can monitor motorcycles and vehicles passing through the area and prevent accidents there.
The legislator emphasized that precious lives are at stake here that’s why he told PNP Deputy Director for Operations PB Gen. Reynaldo Pawid that they should make sure to put an end to this dangerous practice.
“We will add police presence in the area.”
The lawmaker added that he also does not want to hear of future deaths in Marilaque linked to riders engaged in racing. Pawid, for his part, promised that they will add police presence in the area.
Likewise, the senator urged Atty. Gino Lavarias from the Legal Services of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to contact the local government units that have jurisdiction in the area to help make immediate action on the issue.
Lavarias vowed that he will immediately act on the issue to push the mayors in the area to immediately take steps and help resolve the problem, especially since their constituents are also involved in accidents.
Tulfo only gave the PNP five working days to implement his recommendation.
The senator also tasked the DILG to submit their written plan of action in his Office regarding the said problem as soon as possible.
