A TRAGEDY involving a young student has prompted calls for stricter road safety measures and awareness campaigns in the schools in Mandaue City.
Councilor Raul Kevin Cabahug, vice chairman of the committee on education, recalled the recent incident of a student from the Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School who was hit by a truck and died.
“I was deeply saddened by the accident involving a student who was hit by a truck near Comprehensive National High School and unfortunately passed away. On behalf of the City of Mandaue, I extend condolences to the family,” Cabahug said.
He emphasized that such accidents could have been prevented and noted how near the skywalk was to the site of the accident.
“Actually, this is not the first time. And this does not only happen to students. But since we are focusing on students, at least the Department of Education (DepEd) can create an information drive through orientations and teaching our students that it is better to use those skywalks and pedestrian lanes to avoid accidents. It is painful because these students have ambitions and dreams, and they lose their lives simply because they crossed and got hit,” Cabahug said.
He added that through a Sangguniang Panglungsod resolution, they are hoping this will be the first step for the DepEd to organize an information drive and for the city’s road safety team to arrange forums on pedestrian safety.
Enforcing discipline
Cabahug also said that they plan to bring the matter to the mayor’s attention for stricter implementation.
“And maybe we’ll try to talk to the mayor to strictly implement that those who do not use the skywalk or pedestrian lane will be apprehended. If we are strict, this is for the benefit of everyone, especially our students in Mandaue City,” he said.
Cabahug also clarified his role in the effort.
“I am not the committee chairman. I have to coordinate with the committee chairman, so hopefully by the next session there will be a strict implementation on that,” he explained.
The councilor also pointed out the dangers of blind spots for drivers, particularly when children are crossing the street.
“Sometimes there are blind spots, and drivers cannot see, especially if the one crossing is a child, small, or short, so accidents really happen,” Cabahug said.
He concluded with a reminder for everyone in the city. “It is really a matter of mindset, not only for children but also for all residents of Mandaue City, to prevent accidents and to better use the skywalks and pedestrian lanes. Why do we have skywalks? Why do we have pedestrian lanes? What is the purpose of that? Safety, right?” / ABC