The government is changing its road safety approach to prioritize commuters over cars, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at the NLEX Transport Conference, Lopez said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to adopt a commuter-first model to ensure safer roads for everyone.
“Road safety is our top priority,” Lopez said, emphasizing that roads must be safe not just for drivers, but especially for pedestrians, persons with disabilities (PWDs), seniors, pregnant women, and cyclists.
The DOTr is working with other agencies to roll out the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023–2028, which outlines the country’s safety strategies.
Under the National Transport Policy and the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, pedestrians and users of non-motorized transport like bicycles are to be given the highest priority on roads.
