Malacanang will launch on Wednesday a comprehensive road safety program for the entire country. President Benigno Aquino III will lead the launching ceremony of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan covered by Proclamation No. 159 signed last April. In a statement from the Philippine Information Agency, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said the program is in line with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution declaring 2011-2020 the Decade of Action for Road Safety. “The issuance of the proclamation and our road safety action plan is our way of showing support for the UNGA resolution on promoting road safety, as we share the goal of the UNGA to reduce traffic fatalities around the world," Ochoa said. The UNGA resolution, signed by over 100 governments around the world, aims to promote road safety measures such as:
safer roads and vehicles increased use of seatbelts and helmets road safety management improved responses to road mishaps Statistics from the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) show that at least 14,000 road accidents were recorded from January to October last year, resulting in 380 deaths. Worldwide, around 1.3 million people are killed in road accidents every year and it may even swell to 1.9 million deaths by 2020, according to the World Health Organization. Due to these statistics, Ochoa said the government has considered road accidents as 'a health concern.' “The Aquino Administration is aware of the high prevalence of road and traffic accidents in the country, which are among our major public health concerns today," Ochoa added. Meanwhile, President Aquino will also sign the Road Safety Pledge, which states: “I support the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 - 2020. As a road user, I pledge: Not to use my cell phone while driving: Not to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs; To always use a seatbelt while driving; To maintain my car in good, roadworthy condition; Not to be goaded into road rage by aggressive drivers and motorcyclists; Not to throw garbage out of my car, and To always observe and follow road laws, rules and regulations." - VVP, GMA News 
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