Zambo, CDO launch partnership for children’s road safety

Councilor Atty. Edgar Cabanlas (leftmost), representing Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy, and Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe (rightmost) launch their sister-city agreement with child road safety advocate.

Zamboanga City – The local governments of Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City launched on Monday their sister-city partnership that will improve collaboration by promoting safer roads for everyone, especially children, during a ceremony led by the former’s Mayor John Dalipe and the latter’s city officials.

The launch, held at Zamboanga City Hall a day after the commemoration of the 2023 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and Survivors, sets in motion a sisterhood agreement between the local governments that outlines their commitment to protect children from deaths and injury due to road crashes. According to government data, at least 1,600 Filipino children are killed by road crashes every year.

Representatives from both cities vow strict implementation of traffic rules, better training and equipment for traffic enforcers, and setting up speed limits and protective barriers around schools and playgrounds. The said partnership also provides mechanisms for sharing best practices on road safety between the two cities.

Public interest law group ImagineLaw welcomed the partnership. “Road safety is a shared responsibility and local governments play a crucial role in creating a safer environment for everyone,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, the law group’s executive director.

“Kapag may political will, may paraang proteksyunan ang mga bata mula sa road crashes (If there is political will, there is a way to protect children from road crashes),” she also said. ### (PR)