Bong Go calls for road safety, instilling discipline among motorists
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go personally attended the turnover ceremony of motorcycle units for the newly opened Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Motorcycle Riding Academy in Pasig City on Tuesday, September 12.
“Today, we gather for the turnover ceremony of motorcycle units for the MMDA’s Motorcycle Riding Academy. This academy is not just a training ground but a haven where riders learn not just the mechanics of operating a motorcycle but also the ethics of sharing the road responsibly,” said Go in his speech.
“Ang mga motorsiklong ito na ating itu-turnover ngayon ay may layuning higit pa sa transportasyon. Sila ay maituturing nating classrooms on wheels. Naniniwala ako na malaki ang maitutulong ng mga motorsiklong ito hindi lamang sa pagtuturo sa ating mga kababayan na magmaneho, kundi para maturuan din sila kung papaano maging responsableng motorista,” he continued.
The senator was joined by MMDA officials, including acting Chairman Romando Artes, Deputy Chairman Frisco San Juan, Jr., General Manager Procopio Lipana, and Asst. General Manager for Operations David Vargas.
MMDA’s Motorcycle Riding Academy is a pioneering initiative supported by Go aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of motorcycle riders. As part of this initiative, the MMDA will establish a technical working group responsible for developing a Motorcycle Safety Training Course module.
This module is designed to provide comprehensive training and essential knowledge to both novice and seasoned riders. It will cover a wide range of topics, including various types and characteristics of motorcycles, basic motorcycle components and their functions, fundamental motorcycle control and operation, pertinent road safety laws and regulations related to motorcycle operation, essential driving skills to navigate safely and mitigate risks, and fostering a sense of risk awareness and responsible decision-making.
Citing the alarming statistics provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its 2018 Global Status Report on Road Safety, Go emphasized the importance of road safety education, particularly for motorcycle riders who are more vulnerable on the road.
“Alam n’yo, ayon po sa WHO 2018 Global Status Report on Road Safety mahigit 10,000 po ang deaths, pang-11 po tayo out of 175 countries, pinakamaraming deaths sa pagkadisgrasya sa motorcycle,” Go said in an interview after attending the turnover ceremony.
“So, malaking bagay po ito na maturuan natin ang ating mga kababayan ng road safety,” he added.
According to the said report, 4.7% of the 10,012 road traffic deaths in the Philippines involved drivers or passengers of two- or three-wheelers.
These alarming statistics are corroborated by MMDA’s Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS), which reported that motorcycle riders accounted for approximately 38% of road crash fatalities in 2018. The numbers are on the rise, with 253 and 295 fatalities recorded in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
With this, Go also offered some advice for motorcycle riders, saying, “Defensive driving always at parati po natin ilagay sa ating isipan ang road safety. Dalawang gulong lang po ito, kaya mas delikado po. Tandaan po natin, meron po tayong pamilya, meron tayong mga anak na sinusuportahan, inuuwian.”
Meanwhile, Go expressed his satisfaction with MMDA’s ongoing educational initiatives. He also took note of his discussion with MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes regarding the possibility of creating dedicated lanes for motorcycle riders, similar to bicycle lanes.
“Alam niyo po, tayo po ay napakapalad. For the longest time, si Senator Bong Go ay napakalaki ng tulong na naipaabot sa ating ahensya. For the last 3 years, masasabi ko po na maraming programa na ang napondohan ni Senator Bong Go sa atin dito sa MMDA,” Artes said.
“On behalf of our agency, maraming salamat dahil hindi po kayo nagsasawa tumulong sa MMDA. At ngayon po siya ay magdo-donate ng sampung motorsiklo para magamit sa Motorcycle Riding Academy. Sana po ay huwag kayong magsawang tumulong sa amin,” Artes added.
