LOCAL artist-singer and TV host Jolina Magdangal expressed her support to the signing of Republic Act 11229, otherwise known as the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Law, during a press conference organized by the Department of Transportation together with the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) and other road safety advocates on Tuesday, March 19.
Understanding the value of child restraints in vehicles, Magdangal urged parents to invest on car seats, saying “money is something replaceable we can earn and work hard for after it is gone, but the life of our children is far more precious, it is irreplaceable.”
The actress recalled her family’s experience of being in a car crash a few years ago when a passenger-van driver dozed off on the wheel and crashed onto their car.
She suffered from cuts and bruises but her son, Pele, was unhurt and unfazed.
“I believe the car seat did much on saving his life. That’s why I believe this law is important,” she said. “As long as I can help parents understand the importance of child car seats and awareness of the law, I will.”
Department of Transportation Undersecretary Mark de Leon emphasized that “DOTr welcomes this new law requiring children to be seated using car seats...” and said “it answers the vulnerability of our kids in car crashes.”
He said “awareness among other things must be highlighted, the measure of a good law is awareness of the people, not the penalties.”
“[The DOTr] has been on the forefront of many road safety advocacies. There are many strategies to address road safety and we are hoping private sectors help push for road safety campaign to reduce car crash injuries and death,” he added.
He also thanked the Congress for this progressive law, and recognized President Rodrigo Duterte for signing the law.
De Leon said “the Implementation of Rules and Regulation will be more effective if it is being implemented side by side with existing laws on road safety link speed limit, drink driving, etc.”
The GRSP is composed of road safety advocates that include Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (Ideals Inc.), Vera Files, ImagineLaw, Dakila, Legal Engagement Advocating Development and Reform (Leader), Peace & Conflict Journalism Network International, and Philippine Red Cross. (PR)