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The MMDA and its partners held a three-day stakeholders’ meeting to draft the Metro Manila Road Safety Action Plan (MMRSAP) 2024-2028. This plan will guide the region’s road safety initiatives, aiming to reduce crash fatalities by 35% by 2028. Supported by the DOTr, WHO Philippines, and The Policy Center (TPC), the meeting was part of the Philippine Road Safety Month celebration.

The Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) reports around 92,583 crashes annually, resulting in an average of 410 deaths each year. Of these fatalities, 51% are drivers, 36% are pedestrians, and 13% are passengers. These figures highlight the urgent need for improved road safety measures.

Representatives from Metro Manila’s LGUs and technical experts from agencies like the DPWH, DOH, LTFRB, LTO, PNP-NCRPO, PNP-HPG, and UP-NCTS gathered to strategize on the plan, emphasizing the five pillars of road safety: road safety management, safer roads, safer vehicles, safer road users, and post-crash response.

MMDA Assistant General Manager for Planning, OIC Atty. Victor Pablo Trinidad, speaking on behalf of Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, highlighted the valuable contributions of NGAs and LGUs in addressing road safety challenges and developing key strategies for a safer Metro Manila.

Trinidad expressed optimism about creating a comprehensive action plan for safer road systems in Metro Manila, emphasizing the potential for positive change through collaboration.

Atty. Yla Paras, TPC President, reassured the public that the plan would be inclusive, ensuring community involvement and prioritizing the safety of all road users.

DOTr Project Evaluation Officer Paulo Mejia emphasized the alignment of the plan with national road safety goals, reaffirming the department’s commitment to reducing road risks in Metro Manila.

Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus, WHO Representative to the Philippines, stressed the importance of multisectoral cooperation to improve road safety, underscoring that the MMRSAP will serve as a blueprint for interventions that save lives and prevent injuries.

This road safety action plan is part of Project 6: Traffic Safety and Education under the 5-Year Action Plan of the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan for Metro Manila, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The MMRSAP aims to enhance road safety and contribute to a more sustainable and livable environment in Metro Manila.