CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Road crashes remain among the leading causes of death in the Philippines, prompting the Department of Health Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM) to lead efforts to improve how road safety is communicated to the public

From April 6 to 8, health officials and partner agencies gathered at De Luxe Hotel to develop a communication plan for the Northern Mindanao Road Safety Action Plan, focusing on better ways to influence road behavior.

Dr. Juvilyn Denamapo, Medical Officer IV, said road crashes continue to rank among the top 10 causes of death nationwide, despite existing laws.

She cited Republic Act 8750, or the Seatbelt Law, and Republic Act 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Driving Law, noting that enforcement remains a challenge.

“Current messaging includes obeying traffic laws or facing penalties, but it is failing to achieve the desired outcome,” Denamapo said, adding that messaging has focused on violations rather than prevention.

She said more than 10,000 deaths and thousands of injuries are recorded each year. “Road crashes are a public threat,” she said.

The activity gathered agencies, including the Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Information Agency, and local government disaster risk reduction and management offices.

Participants outlined communication objectives, success indicators, and key messages to reduce road crashes in the region.

Ma. Rachel D. Escatron, senior health program officer, said Northern Mindanao continues to face a high burden of deaths due to road crashes.

“It’s 16 per 100,000 population,” she said, explaining that the regional plan is part of broader efforts to address the issue.

She said the Department of Health targets zero deaths due to road crashes by 2028, in line with the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan.

“Road safety is so important so that we can make our roads safe, without deaths due to collisions,” Escatron said, emphasizing that incidents on the road are preventable.

She said these are not accidents but events influenced by factors such as road design, enforcement, and behavior.

The approach follows the five pillars of road safety developed by the World Health Organization, supported by the United Nations and the Department of Transportation. These include road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users, and post-crash response.

“Atong mga balaod ato gyud implement. Ang mudakop, strict gyud sila sa balaod nato. Ang road nato maayo gyud unta iyang design para wala gyud ma disgrasya. Users discipline, mutabok gyud sa pedestrian lane. Mag helmet gyud, seat belts og uban pa,” she said.

(We should implement our laws. The arresters are really strict with our law. Our road should be well-designed to avoid accidents, coupled with user discipline in crossing the pedestrian lane, and the wearing of helmets, seat belts, and more.)

She said that, collectively and in partnership with other government agencies, they should help one another to reach the goal. (JMOR/PIA-10)