Agency affiliated with DSWD conducts sticker campaign for children's safety

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=1&rid=943041
• Thursday, November 24, 2016

(PNA), CVL/LSJ/EDS

MANILA, Nov. 24 (PNA) -- The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), an agency attached to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), on Thursday conducted another round of its “POST A STICKER ON CHILD SAFETY” campaign at Robinsons Novaliches, Quezon City.

The CWC campaign, held in cooperation with the mall's management and transport groups plying the routes in the vicinity of the mall, promotes the children’s right to enjoy a safe environment.

The event was attended by CWC deputy executive director Marijoy Segui, Robinsons Novaliches regional manager Catherine Alejandro, Land Transportation Office director Giovannie Gonzales, NYC executive director Nielex Tupas and some 100 participants from local and national transport groups.

The activity, conducted for the second year in the same venue, is in line with the observance of National Children’s Month during November every year, pursuant to Republic Act 10661, or the “National Children’s Month Act”.

“The POST A STICKER ON CHILD SAFETY campaign reminds drivers of jeepneys, buses, FX/UV express, tricycles and motor vehicles to be extra cautious when driving with children on board as passengers,” said Segui.

Data from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Traffic Accident Recording and Analysis System show that some 1,513 people died in road accidents in 2013.

The World Health Organization (WHO) however put the Philippine estimate at a much higher figure of 10,379 fatalities.

Of the road traffic deaths in the Philippines, 53 percent are motorcycle riders, 19 percent are pedestrians, 14 percent are four-wheeled vehicle drivers, 11 percent are four-wheeled vehicle passengers, 2 percent are cyclists, and 1 percent for others.

While the Philippines has laws regulating speed limit, mandating the use of motorcycle helmets and seatbelts and prohibiting drunk driving, these laws have not been sufficiently implemented.

The message indicated in the stickers to be distributed and disseminated to motorists, states, “BATAS TRAPIKO’Y SUNDIN; KALIGTASAN NG MGA BATA ISIPIN!” (Follow traffic rules, think about the safety of children).

Through the message in the stickers, the CWC wants to educate and remind drivers to make a difference in ensuring the safety and protection of children riders.

Through the awareness campaign, the council wants other malls to develop the same advocacy in the coming years so that more people would work towards creating a nurturing and safe environment for children, who are the hope of the nation.

Ensuring their safety is a way of helping them achieve their full potentials to become important economic contributors instead of suffering from disabilities and abuses due to negligence of their safety.