Enough is enough, or so it seems, for the national government when it comes to these recent fatalities on road accidents.
We had received a letter that the Philippine government will be conducting a joint operation to apprehend particularly dangerous traffic violations tomorrow, November 22. And by “Philippine government” we mean nationwide, or an operation involving all 17 regions of the country.
The news comes in the wake of fatal accidents that involved an overloaded truck in Apayao (19 fatalities) as well as an incident that involved a UV Express Van, a truck, and a tricycle without taillights in Camarines Sur (8 fatalities).
President Duterte has had enough, saying that the situation is not acceptable, and has directed the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) to strictly enforce the law, especially when it comes to overloaded vehicles.
The letter from the LTO to the HPG states that tomorrow's joint operation will be a “one-time big-time” event, and will focus apprehending motor vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders, but will focus on dangerous violations such as overloaded vehicles, tricycles on highways, excessive speeds, and other violations.
The effort will be a coordinated one with the Land Transportation Office's Law Enforcement Service, the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and other agencies.
Moreover, the letter also states that the LTO's Regional Directors are to conduct similar operations, making this a nationwide “one-time big-time” event.
Hopefully this won't become a one-time thing, and could become a sustained effort for real road safety.
