Road safety is a global priority. In the Philippines, the burden of road accidents makes it one of the most pressing health and development concerns for Filipinos. In 2017 alone, four in every 100,000 people died and 193 in every 100,000 were injured, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
These numbers translate to about 299 cases per day, but many of these could have been prevented with mindfulness and proper safety-seeking behavior among road users.
To improve the safety of roads, global cement manufacturer CEMEX Holdings Philippines has implemented the “Listo Tayo!” road safety program under its Ligtas 24-Oras campaign. Started in 2013, the campaign aims to promote a culture of safety across CEMEX operations for both employees and stakeholders in communities.
This year, CEMEX celebrated the “Vulnerable Road User Awareness Month” as part of the Listo Tayo! program. Twin events were held in Antipolo City, Rizal and City of Naga, Cebu, where CEMEX maintains operations.
At the Solid Cement Plant in Antipolo City, the company gathered more than 200 vulnerable road users comprising of students from Jesus Cabarrus Elementary School and Solid Cement Plant Day Care Center, their parents, members of the Antipolo Cyclists Club, and motorcyclists.
“CEMEX supports infrastructure development but we recognize that we need to keep everyone safe in the process. We deal heavily in the affiliated industries of road transportation and logistics. This makes promoting road safety behavior a priority,” explained Sherwin San Pablo, technical and terminals director.
Likewise, CEMEX’s health and safety manager Ron Escaler led the talk which focused on sharing road safety knowledge among those that are most susceptible to risks in traffic. “Keeping roads safe is a shared responsibility. This is why we are strengthening efforts to continuously help address the prevalence of road fatalities and injuries,” said Escaler.
To support the program, CEMEX invited Eric Soriano of Pro-drivers Safety Academy to deliver first-hand insights into the importance of proper safety behavior.
Solid Cement plant director Normandy Chan echoed the company’s continued support for meaningful partnerships and social development programs that raise the quality of life among the communities CEMEX operates in.