MATI CITY, Davao Oriental (PIA) — In response to the rising number of traffic violations and road crashes involving the youth, the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Mati District Office has partnered with educational institutions in Mati City, Davao Oriental to provide free seminars on road safety and traffic regulations.
Speaking at the Kolokabildo sang Davao Oriental media forum, LTO-Mati District Office head Lloyd Bucod emphasized that the partnership aims to bring about significant behavioral change among the youth, who have recently contributed to the bulk of traffic violations and road crashes in the city.
“Nakita namo nga nagkabata ang mga driver karon, so ang motor mura na lang og bike – basta makabalo na, diretso na sa dalan, and therefore kailangan natong matagaan og tukma, matamang edukasyon,” shared.
(We observe that the drivers nowadays are getting younger. Motorcycles are being used like bicycles – as long as they know how to ride them, they use them, and therefore, we need to provide proper, proper education for them.)
Under the partnership, the LTO will provide free Theoretical Driving Courses (TDC) to students and school personnel who wish to acquire a driving license and a free Defensive Driving Course for current license holders.
For TDC, Bacud said once the students complete the course, they will be able to process their student permits.
Bucod said the initiative is part of their program to strengthen their information and education campaign alongside their continuous enforcement efforts.
“Among gipanghimo karon not just enforcement but giving information (What we are doing now is not just enforcement but giving information),” he emphasized, noting that this is a more effective way of changing the mindset of the motorists, especially young motorists, towards following traffic laws and regulations.
Bucod revealed that the initiative has already begun at Davao Oriental State University (DORSU) in Mati City, with the first batch, consisting of students, faculty members, and school staff, currently undergoing the seminar.
“As to the implementation, we had our first batch of kaning nag-seminar after atong pagpirma nato’g MOA and our kaning launching, and just yesterday nakausap ko si ang school na by next week second batch po tayo,” he shared.
(As for the implementation, we had our first batch of this seminar after we signed the MOA and our launching, and just yesterday, I talked to the school that by next week, we will have a second batch.)
With the success of the initial implementation in DORSU, Bacud said they would expand the initiative to public schools in the city to educate more youth on road safety and responsible driving.
“Pagasugdan napod namo kini sa mga mga public school, sa K to 12 para matagaan nato og tukmang edukasyon ang mga estudyante sa high school,” he said.
(We will start this in public schools in K to 12, so that we can provide high school students with a proper education on road safety.) (ASO/PIA XI)
