The Senate has passed on its third and final reading S. No. 1018, “An Act Designating the Third Sunday of November as the Philippine Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, Survivors and Families,” co-authored by Sen. Bong Revilla to raise awareness of the enormous scale and impact of road deaths and injuries, to remember the many millions killed or injured in road crashes, and to pay tribute to the dedicated emergency crews, police & medical professionals who deal daily with the traumatic aftermath of road death & injury.
According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), road crash is now the leading cause of death amongst teenagers aged 15-19, and that 1.2 million individuals die every year due to road-related accidents.
In March 2010, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution entitled “Improving Global Road Safety,” which includes the observance of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on the third Sunday of November every year.
The Philippines is a co-author of this UN General Assembly Resolution. Per Presidential Proclamation 2092, this is an opportunity for the country to express its concern over the continuing rise in road traffic casualties, and its intention to partner with the private sector and civil society to address this growing malady.
As an advocate of road safety, Sen. Bong Revilla has authored the R.A. 10054, or the Mandatory Helmet Act of 2010. He also filed a new bill in the 18th congress which seeks for the establishment of a motorcycle response unit for both public and private hospitals and medical institutions.