Lubao Mayor Esmeralda “Esmie” Pineda on Monday said that the municipal government is "doing all it can" to minimize the number of vehicular accidents along the Jose Abad Santos Avenue (JASA) section in Lubao town.
The mayor issued the statement amid recent posts on social media criticizing the local government's efforts in the national highway.
Pineda said the municipal government has been proactive in ensuring the road safety of the JASA Lubao section in the town, which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The mayor said they have installed reflectorized signages to guide motorists along the Lubao bypass and several bridges and roadways along JASA.
Savings from the local government's funds were used for the installation of road light studs, amounting to P12 million, Pineda added.
She disclosed that the municipal government installed raised pavement markers and guide rail reflectors.
“We have made our efforts in keeping our section of the JASA safe for motorists,” Pineda said.
She described as "unfair" the comments on social media towards the efforts of the local government.
Pineda said that netizens should not blame the accidents on local authorities, since each accident happens as a result of several factors.
She called on the DPWH to expedite the town's request to install a traffic stoplight at the crossing of Barangay Santo Tomas.
Despite the request and memorandum of agreement in 2021, the traffic light has not yet been installed, the mayor lamented.
“We are calling on the DPWH to make true on their promise. We need this traffic light for the safety of our people and commuters," she said.
The JASA section in Lubao is the longest section of the avenue in Pampanga, stretching at 17 kilometers from Barangays Santa Monica and Santo Niño.
Lieutenant Colonel Dederick Relativo, Lubao chief of police, clarifies that overspeeding has been a major cause of 70 percent of accidents along JASA Lubao section.
The police chief said that while interventions are being conducted by the local government, motorists also have the responsibility to observe road safety and traffic rules.
Relativo said majority of the town's accidents from November 2024 to July this year were recorded along the stretch of JASA, particularly in Barangay Santa Cruz.
Pineda said the municipal government is now in the process of acquiring speed monitors, breath analyzers, and cameras capable of capturing speeding vehicles.
“Road safety is not just the responsibility of the government; it is also the responsibility of motorists and road users. We are imploring motorists to observe road safety,” Pineda said.