Senator JV Ejercito’s statement on the implementation of new safety measures for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers
May 05, 2025
Bilang isang motorista at siklista, buong suporta ko ang mga bagong patakarang inanunsyo ni Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon para mapabuti ang kaligtasan sa ating mga kalsada.
Back in the 16th Congress, I authored Republic Act No. 10916 or the Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016—a law that mandates speed-limiting devices in select public utility vehicles to help prevent fatal accidents. The spirit of that law is clear: the safety of our people must always come first, and that we must take proactive and preventive action to avoid speed-related tragedies.
Sa gitna ng sunod-sunod na road crashes at mga aksidente, panahon na para sa mas mahigpit na regulasyon at mas mataas na pamantayan sa pagmamaneho, lalo na para sa mga pampublikong sasakyan. Buhay ang nakataya, kaya’t dapat lang na seryosohin natin ito.
Safety is a shared responsibility. Pero mas malaki ang nakaatang na responsibilidad sa mga driver dahil buhay ang nakasalalay sa bawat pagmamaneho nila. Kailangang siguruhin na sila ay nasa maayos na kondisyon—physically, mentally, and emotionally tuwing sila’y bumabiyahe.
As someone who has spent countless hours behind the wheel and on the road, I understand how fatigue, lack of proper training, and substance abuse can turn an ordinary trip into a fatal accident. Ayaw na po natin ng dagdag pang trahedya na sana’y maiiwasan kung may disiplina at tamang sistema. Kaya naman, kaisa ako ng DOTR at ng ating mga transport stakeholders sa pagpapatupad ng mga repormang ito.
I also call on our fellow legislators and agencies to support complementary measures such as better working conditions for drivers, accessible training programs, and public awareness campaigns on road safety.
