Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

AND HIGHWAYS

CURRENT EFFORTS BY THE

PUBLIC SECTOR THAT ADDRESS
THE ROAD SAFETY PROBLEM

September 06, 2005

 Examples of Dilapidated,
Worn out, Road Safety Facilities
(Faded Pavement Markings)
(Worn out Road Signs)
(Damaged Road Signs)
(Damaged Road Signs - chevron)
(Damaged Informative Signs)
Examples of Road Sections
That Need Road Safety
Facilities
(Needs Pavement Markings and Road Signs)
(Needs Road Signs and Hazard Markers (Chevrons))
(Needs Reflectorized Pavement Markings and Road Signs)
(Needs Road Signs/Warning Signs, Chevrons)
(Reflectorized Pavement Markings)
Examples of Roads Sections
With Road Safety Facilities
(Road Signs and Pavement Markings)
( Pavement Markings and Guardrails)
(Guardrails and Pavement Markings)
(Reflectorized Pavement Markings and Road Signs)
(Reflectorized Pavement Markings and Road Signs)
(Reflectorized Pedestrian Lanes)
2004 - 2008
Objective:

To establish a clear delineation of responsibilities

for road safety policies/activities; and to improve
road safety through well-coordinated national and
local organizations representing all stakeholders,
with adequate technical and financial support in
managing traffic safety activities, aimed at the
reduction of traffic accidents and casualties.
 Background

The Inter-agency Road Safety Committee (IRSC) chaired by DPWH was established in
1992 but was replaced in 1996 by National Road Safety Committee (NRSC) chaired
by DOTC, which produced an updated Road Safety Plan (1997-2000).

The NRSC was created to:

1. Institutionalize road safety activities; and
2. Formulate immediate, medium and long-term, plans involving infrastructure and
other physical improvements, vehicles safety standards and traffic accident database
management.
The on-going Road Infrastructure Safety Project under the ADB assisted 6th Road Project
undertaken by the DPWH
a. Recommends that the NRSC be reactivated and restructured
b. The National Road Safety Plan has been reviewed and a proposal has been prepared

Road safety institutional structures are limited to enable effective implementation of

road safety activities.
 Key Points on Implementation

NRSC should convene as soon as possible

The National Plan should be prioritized
Administrative Order 329 should be amended
Revise structure to include rotation of chairmanship every two (2) years between DPWH,
DOTC and DILG/PNP.
Members of Exec. Council to include DPWH, DOTC, DILG/PNP, DepEd, DOH,
MMDA, academe, business sector, and non-government organizations
President as patron to NRSC
Road Fund Safety Allocation to be split 50% to DPWH and 50% to be used via NRSC to
assist/implement Safety Action Plan
Seek additional and sustainable funding for NRSC to facilitate implementation of action
plan
Strong political, technical secretariat with an Exec. Director providing support and
implementing NRSC decisions.
Established road safety institutional and governance mechanism to effectively undertake
development and implementation of road safety activities
Capacity Building and skills upgrading of staff in road safety.
Objective:

To operationalize an adequate country-wide

system of accident data collection, storage,
retrieval and processing for comprehensive road
safety situation analysis to be disseminated in
devising appropriate remedial measures.
 Background

The 1994 MAAP introduced into DPWH and PNP involved in use of the system.

MAAP system not sustained due to data not being collected from the field.

PNP traffic investigation fill in the form but are not knowledgeable in completing the
form.

PNP has no jurisdiction on expressways:

North Luzon
South Luzon
Metro Manila Skyway
EDSA
STAR
Coastal Road

MMDA has a system.

DPWH has a system.
 Key Points on Implementation

One accident data system for the Philippines.

Cooperation and coordination of all concerned agencies.

Consistency to avoid duplication.

Training of those required to fill in the standard forms (critical)

Standard traffic accident report form.

One coordinating agency.

System to be capable of reporting accidents on all road types be it national or

local.
Objectives:

To provide an adequate and sustainable resource

to all sectors of Road Safety.
 Background

There is an existing Road Fund established by the government for road maintenance
and safety, the Special Road Safety Fund, emanating from the Motor Vehicle
Users Charge Act (RA 8794) being administered/managed by the Road Board.

RA 8794 – 7.5% of the collection from the registration of motor vehicles (7.5% of
P 11.6B Road Fund = P870M) – approximately $17 million/yr.

Activities
Road Improvement, traffic engineering, road signs

For Dept. of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the Fund, DPWH has to
submit the Road Safety Program of Work

Previous request by DOTC for release of funds for non-DPWH activity were
refused.
 Key Points on Implementation

DPWH to initiate the request that 3.75% of the earmarked 7.5% be allotted via
NRSC to address other urgent road safety concerns.

DPWH requested the regional office to submit their programs of work for road
safety, to be reviewed by the DPWH Bureau of Maintenance

Line agencies must receive adequate budgets to enable them to make their
contribution to the National Road Safety Plan.

NRSC to use budget allocation to facilitate implementation of National Road

Safety Plan.
Objectives:

To reduce the number and severity of road accidents

by indicating among developers a more focused planning
and design of future roads.
 Background

Responsible agencies
• DPWH
• Provincial / Municipal Offices
• Local Development Councils

Updating / revising Existing Documents-DPWH

• Highway Planning Manual
• Highway Design Standards
• Road Signs & Pavement Markings Manual

Development of Road Safety Audit Manual being finalized

 Key Points on Implementation

Adopt common standards in the planning and design of national and local roads.

Effective information dissemination

• for professionals
• for general public

Tri-media information campaign.

Training of personnel in Safety Audit and other accident prevention techniques.

Objectives:

To identify the most hazard-prone areas and to map-

out dangerous locations on the road networks based on
comprehensive analysis of existing road accidents data;
and to provide remedial actions and/or road improvements
thereon.
 Background

Focus on existing roads where accident problems exist – accident reduction

No policies and procedures for improvement of hazardous locations – blackspots
(road sections or intersections)
Lack of safety awareness within agencies concerned
Lack if design standards on existing roads
Lack of system procedures for analysis of hazardous locations
Limited budget
Need to use accident data to identify locations
Need to prioritize projects based on cost effectiveness
Different agencies having road management responsibilities:
• DPWH
• Local Government
• MMDA
• Toll road Operators
• Economic Zones
 Key Points on Implementation

Guidelines fir defining hazardous locations – criteria (3 high severity accidents per
year over 3 years)
Training of engineers in accident investigation and evaluation
Cooperation of all agencies

Established guidelines for blackspot programs

• A system for identifying blackspots using accident data

• Allocation of specific budget for the activity
• Organize traffic accident investigation teams
• Established system for evaluation of benefits and cost
• Established system for identifying priorities
• Establish mechanism fort the community and private sectors to suggest
hazardous location to be investigated and considered

Follow up mechanisms including effectiveness of implemented works.

Objectives:

To improve children’s capacity in coping with the

traffic hazards to reduce the risk of traffic accident
involvement through continuing road safety education.
 Background

Very limited scope of curriculum on road safety

Lack of resource materials on road safety for the teachers and school
children.
• No training of teachers regarding road safety.
• The curricula have not given much emphasis on road safety and
if safety messages are integrated thereat, there is minimal follow-
up of the carry-over of learnings to actual practice.
On-the-road safety awareness is not well emphasized in the community
Road signs are not in place, especially in the vicinity of schools located
along the national highways.
 Key Points on Implementation

Make topics on road safety as integral part of the school curriculum at all levels.

Conduct community service for out-of-school youth (OSY)

Indoctrinate the youth on road safety to make it part of their lives.

There should be enough materials on road safety available for teachers and children

• Conduct trainings for the teachers regarding road safety

• Improve road safety awareness using tri-media
• Private Sector to adopt the community in their respective vicinity as part of
the road safety campaign

Construct safer pedestrian facilities in school zones, especially those located along
the national highways.
Objective:

To improve road safety through better raining and

education of drivers and ensuring that only those who
demonstrated competent driving skills and knowledge
under normal driving conditions are awarded a license.
 Background

Driver testing and training procedures are observed to be inadequate in many

countries in the Asian and Pacific region, this include the Philippines.

Existing driving test, and in particular its implementation, gives cause for
concern as there appears to be many drivers on the road who have insufficient
skills obtained their license without undergoing a proper assessment of their
driving skills or competence.
 Key Points on Implementation

Driver training and testing to operate light vehicles are generally accessible but
virtually absent for drivers of heavy motor vehicles such as trucks, buses and
articulated motor vehicles, and two-wheeled motor vehicles.
Trainee drivers are not properly identified.
Inadequate training facilities and instructional materials, which should not
module on safer behavior on the road.
Highway Code should be properly disseminated.
Objective:

To improve road safety through publicity and

advocacy campaigns targeting the most vulnerable
road users and those who can affect their safety.
 Background

Existing road safety campaigns can also initiated by private sectors

Existing short term government campaign on road safety
Accidents and injury program being developed under the Dept. of Health.
Comprehensive leaflets and booklets on road use and road ethics were published
by DOTC
Inadequate number and assessment of road safety publicity campaigns
 Key Points on Implementation

Utilization of a Tri-Media campaign on road safety

LGUs, NGOs, World Health Day Focus on road safety on April 7, 2004
Improvement of the design of the road safety campaign program to suit the
target audience
Proper dissemination of information at strategic locations
Campaigns should be data driven based on the analysis of road accident
casualties
Objective:

To improve road safety through periodic inspection

of registered vehicles and type testing of new vehicles
using modern equipment and techniques to prevent
defective, road unworthy or unsafe vehicles from using
public roads.
 Background

At present, there are only two government motor vehicle inspection

stations in National Capital Region (NCR) and only three (3) out of (5)
government stations outside NCR are operational. In addition, two (2)
alternative MVIS are operated by the private sector at Subic.

D.O. 91-005 specifies the motor vehicle standards.

Plans are being developed to expand MVIS capability nationwide.

At present, only visual inspection is conducted for HGV.

 Key Points on Implementation

Lack of facilities and capabilities.

Procedures are not updated and not widely disseminated.
MVIS inspection only required, at present, for public transport vehicles and
diesel vehicles only. Tricycles are not covered by MVIS.
Lack of capable or qualified personnel to perform vehicle roadworthiness
inspection.
Vehicle inspection is an ideal activity for privatization as investors are willing
and able to invest in this area. Government should set the standards and to
regulate and supervise those given the task of vehicle inspection.
Objectives:

To achieve up-to-date and relevant legislations

and an efficient judicial system.
To amend certain provisions of the Philippine
law pertaining to Road Safety and to lobby for the
legislation and adoption of new relevant laws as needs
arise.
 Background

RA 4136: Land Transportation and Traffic Code

MMDA Ordinances
LGU Ordinances
Seatbelt Law (RA 8750)
Drug Testing
CA 146 (Public Service Law)
RA 8749 (Clean Air Act)
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
PD 96 (Sirens)
LOI 229 EWD

Existing laws need to be updated to cope with the modern traffic conditions and
to promote road safety.
 Key Points on Implementation

Need to enhance traffic laws and regulations – penalty is minimal

Lack of traffic courts
Inadequate traffic safety laws
Proposed Laws and Regulations for Amendments re: Philippine Traffic
Safety Act
1. Helmet Law
2. Age requirements (Pre-requisite for driving):
a. Alcohol Test
b. Neuro-psychological test
3. Speed limit Law/Regulation
4. Increase of penalties foe violators
5. Banning of drag racing
6. Professionalize the driving schools prior to license issuance
7. Translation of International traffic signs to Filipino language
8. Overloading and Gross Vehicle Weight
9. Novice Licensee
10. Lack of standards on backyard vehicle assembly
Objective:

To improve road safety through more effective

and more efficient traffic police enforcement of traffic
regulations by the use of modern equipment and
enforcement tactics to influence and improve road user
behavior and compliance with the law.
 Background

R.A. 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code) National

R.A. 7924 (MMDA Charter)

Local Traffic Enforcement Ordinances

Training
• UP-NCTS (on Transportation Management Traffic Enforcement
• Undertaken by respective agencies

With available equipment, MV’s for enforcement except speed detection

equipment and testing kits for drunken driving.
 Key Points on Implementation

Inadequate traffic enforcement personnel on national roads.

Tendency of drivers to disregard traffic laws and safety
Campaigns should be based on research as to target unlawful and unsafe
behavior.
Inadequate training manuals for law enforcement personnel
Limited specialists on traffic enforcement
Inadequate modern equipment and patrol vehicles
Traffic enforcement operations grossly under resourced for road safety
activities required
Better deployment of existing resources needed for road safety
Objective:

Attain an effective nationwide capability to

provide emergency medical treatment to road
accident victims at the scene of an accident, en route
to where they can receive more specialized treatment
and in medical centers and hospitals to which they
are taken.
 Background

RESCUE SERVICES:
• Established in Metro Manila only
• Not established outside Metro Manila, still in development stage except in some
urbanized cities like: Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Cebu, etc.
COMMON EMERGENCY NUMBER:
• 117-DIL/PNP/BFP
• 136- MMDA Rescue
• 161- Marikina Rescue
RESCUE/RESPONSE:
• Government or NGO Ambulance may respond to emergencies
• Passive response of passerby / bystanders to emergencies.
HIT and RUN CASES:
• Hit and Run vehicle drivers do not want to help because they do not want to
admit liability or they fear being mobbed by the public.
PROBLEM OF DEVOLUTION:
• Use of ambulance in activities other than emergencies
• Lack of training of local Emergency Medical Assistance System personnel
• Ill-equipped and non-functional ambulance
 Key Points on Implementation

LGU capability enhancement: upgrading of training, facilities, equipment,

planning, personnel and funding.

Enhance the role of barangay captains as first responder during emergencies

Enhance the emergency response capability of PNCC, MMDA, and other

similar agencies over their areas of operations.

Third Party Level (PTL) Insurance should cover payment for road accident
victims

Inclusion of rescue equipment under tax-exempt items

Fake insurance leads to non-settlement of claims

Objective:

To improve road safety through adequate

funded and coordinated research, which can shed
light on road safety problems and provide a
framework of knowledge where policy decisions and
countermeasures can be derived.
 Background

Lack of research agenda on road safety

Problem areas not fully identified
Data are not readily available because of confidentiality of data especially if
it involves private sector
Research not given much importance; research data not fully disseminated
and utilized
Only few institutions are capable of conducting research; priorities are
given to consultancy
Lack of research funds
Most, is not all government agencies have research units but very few carry
out any research
Road safety research in its infancy in the Philippines
 Key Points on Implementation

Sourcing of funds

Motivation to conduct research

No specific research institution focusing on road safety

Lack of research monitoring

Research must be interdisciplinary

Lack of linkage between the academe and the private sectors and
government institutions
Objective:

To develop and disseminate realistic estimate

of accident costs.
 Background

Initial estimate in establishing accident costs has been completed

Method developed to update accident outputs yearly such as: pain, grief
and suffering, medical costs, property damage, administration and
economic costs.
 Key Points on Implementation

Accident costs to evaluate and prioritize blackspot sites

Strategic indication to government of the economic cost to the community
Reliability and accuracy evaluation of data on highway and local roads
Continuous research to refine the methodology
THANK YOU
and
GOOD DAY!