The Department of Transportation (DOTr), together with Muntinlupa City Government inaugurated the first Road Safety Park in the Philippines— a landmark step in the DOTr’s comprehensive strategy to make Philippine roads safer, more inclusive, and more people-centered.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DOTr to intensify road safety measures and ensure inclusivity on the road.
“Ang parating utos po sa atin ng Pangulo ay siguraduhin po nating ligtas ang ating kalsada, hindi lang po sa lahat ng mga motorista o sa mga pedestrian pero sa lahat ng tao sa lansangan,” said Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez.
The Road Safety Park is designed as a model infrastructure experience for the next generation of road users.
With an area of 3,140 square meters located in Tunasan Baywalk, the park features simulated road networks, cycle lane classifications, a public transport stop, a road signage park, a stage area, and a viewing deck.
It is very crucial to start road safety education early among children. Learning road signs at a young age protects children especially when crossing the streets and makes them responsible drivers in the future.
“Hindi po naging kultura ng mga Pilipino ang road safety. Kaya ako po ay sumasang-ayon kay Mayor Ruffy Biazon Sa umpisa palang, bilang kasama ng curriculum ng mga bata ay dapat meron nang pag-aaral. Dapat kasama na yan sa mga dini-discuss sa ating paaralan,” the transport chief stressed.
Road crash data from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) consistently points to human error as the primary cause of road incidents. The Road Safety Park directly addresses this by cultivating a new generation of educated, safety-conscious drivers who understand not just the rules of the road, but the responsibility that comes with using it.
Muntinlupa Mayor Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon welcomed the initiative, expressing his deep appreciation for DOTr’s continued support.
“Well we are very thankful for their support at maganda ang naging direction ng DOTr which is towards active mobility at tsaka road safety dahil ‘yan ang tawag ng panahon. Gone are the days na car-centric tayo,” said Mayor Biazon.
Alongside this initiative, the DOTr is actively building protected bike lanes and dedicated walkways across the country.
Representatives from various advocacy groups namely the AltMobility PH, Commuters 4 Change Convenor, and Barangay Organization of Persons with Disabilities expressed their gratitude to DOTr and showed their support for the road safety park.
“Ang lansangan natin ay may puwang para sa lahat ng road users, lalo sa mga vulnerable road users, katulad ng pedestrians, persons with disabilities at bike users. So as we teach our children the road safety ethics, we should also teach them their rights,” said Commuters 4 Change Convenor Toix Cerna.
