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ROAD
accidents in Metro Manila have doubled over the last six
years as motor vehicle registrations expanded and
average traffic speeds increased with the improvements
in traffic order, according to Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando.
At the
launch of Goodyear’s Bayani ng Kalsada Awards in
Intramuros, Manila, Fernando said a vehicle is twice as
likely to be involved in an accident today compared with
only six years ago.
“The
main factor explaining the negative developments over
the past few years is the increasing number of motor
vehicles,” he said. “From 2002, motor vehicles have been
increasing every year by almost 20 percent.”
David
Morin, Goodyear Philippines president and managing
director, said that according to a report of the
National Police Highway Patrol Group, road accidents
involving all types of motor vehicles increased to
11,532 in 2007 from 5,551 cases in 2002.
He
added, “This is why Goodyear identifies with local
drivers who keep the automotive industry moving, or who
understand the value of making driving safer and
enjoyable for everyone on the road. These are the people
we’re looking for—individuals who should be rightfully
proclaimed heroes.”
This
year, he said, “we call on the public to actively
participate in the search by nominating members of their
family or community who fit the criteria.” Morin said,
“Our past winners are the living, breathing proofs that
heroes do still exist. We just have to look for the
right ones at the right places.” The Bayani ng Kalsada
was first launched in 2006.
These
heroes, Morin said, make an enormous contribution to our
local roads. Their strong sense of responsibility has
largely helped make Philippine roads safer and allowed
commerce to operate uninterruptedly.
Past
winners of the award were Glenn Mesa, a public-utility
jeepney driver, and Venecio Atillo, a taxi driver, who
both returned their respective passengers’ valuables;
Monico Cuadillera, a truck driver who rescued passengers
from a burning vehicle, and Ronnie Balbido, a jeepney
driver who volunteered his own vehicle to save his
neighbors’ lives.
To
nominate a Bayani ng Kalsada, one should fill out a form
available at all Goodyear Servitek dealers and TyrePro
outlets, various offices of the Land Transportation
Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory
Board offices, Standard Insurance branches, Cebuana
Lhuillier shops, the Filtrepreneur Franchise office, the
office of the Safety Organization of the Philippines
Inc., the National Council for Consumer Protection
office, the Automobile Association Philippines office
and the Centro Negosyo office.
Entries
may be submitted at Goodyear Philippines office at
Alabang-Zapote Road, Las Pinas or at the Zest Asia
office at Warehouse 13, La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Chino
Roces Avenue, Makati. Forms may also be sent via fax to
the Goodyear office (876-4596) or the secretariat
(893-7049). Deadline of submission of entries is on
December 31, 2008.
The
contest has four categories: public utility jeepney
drivers, taxi/FX drivers, commercial truck/bus drivers,
and private drivers.
Each
winner will receive P30,000 cash prize, P500,000 worth
of Personal Accident Insurance, a Peso Card preloaded
with P10,000 cash, a Starcash card preloaded with
P10,000, P3,000 worth Training Certificate, Revicon
Forte Gift Pack, a Food Cart worth P10,000, a special
jacket and a trophy. |
