KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- the private sector representatives (PSRs) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 12  pushed for the inclusion of road safety education in secondary school curricula.

At the 14th RDC 12 PSRs National Convention held in Iloilo City on April 27-28, 2023, the RDC 12's PSRs led by retired BGen. Joselito E. Kakilala proposed institutionalizing road safety by including this in the secondary education curricula to address the growing concern over road traffic deaths and injuries, and their corresponding impact on the national economy.

Their proposal received unanimous support from other PSRs, as they jointly passed a resolution entitled "Enjoining the Department of Education to Incorporate Road Safety in the Secondary Education Curricula."

The resolution seeks to promote responsible behavior among young Filipinos and ultimately reduce road traffic accidents.

The PSRs’ initiative emanated from the report that road traffic deaths and injuries pose significant financial burdens on victims, their families, and the national economy, costing countries three percent of their annual gross domestic product in medical care expenses and loss in productivity.

The RDC 12 delegation to the 14th National Convention was composed of Raymund K. Salangsang, chairperson of the Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee XII and PSR for General Santos City; Carlito Y. Uy, chairperson of the Regional Social Development Committee XII and PSR for Social Sector; Retired Col. Celestino F. Desamito Jr., chairperson of the Macro-Economy, Development Administration and Finance Committee XII and PSR for the Environment and Tourism Sector; Nestor S. Lumawig, PSR for Koronadal City; Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, vice chairperson of RDC XII and regional director of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XII; and Michael BJ S. Abellana, Senior Economic Development Specialist of NEDA XII.

The convention is an annual event that brings together PSRs from all over the regions in the Philippines to discuss and support regional and national development concerns and initiatives. (With reports from Michael BJ S. Abellana-NEDA XII DRD)