(Photos courtesy: MMDA)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority received motorcycle units donated by the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos.
MMDA Acting Chairperson Atty. Don Artes thanked Secretary Abalos for being very supportive of the MMDA’s programs and projects even after his stint at the agency.
"When I told him that the MMDA will be having a Motorcycle Riding Academy, Secretary Abalos immediately responded by donating ten brand new motorcycle units," said Artes.
For his part, Abalos underscored the significance of the academy amid the high number of road traffic deaths.
“The number of those using motorcycles is increasing, so are the fatalities. This Academy will provide motorcycle riders necessary riding and basic emergency response skills and we hope to replicate it in other local government units to lessen motorcycle-related deaths and accidents,” he said.
Two significant objectives of the Motorcycle Riding Academy are to make the roads safer with fewer traffic-related accidents and increase the awareness of the public with respect to the safety hazards of the road in view of contributing to the reduction of the growing number of road crash victims.
The academy is set to open on September 27 and is located at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) lot along Julia Vargas Avenue, corner Meralco Avenue in Pasig City.
Meanwhile, Artes again reminded the public to follow the traffic rules and not cross EDSA in light of a recent accident in Guadalupe southbound area involving a pedestrian trying to cross the highway and a motorcycle rider. Both were injured.
“Hindi po kami nagkulang sa pagpapaalala, ilang post na po ang ginawa namin kung saan patuloy ang panawagan naming huwag tumawid sa EDSA. Mayroon naman po tayong footbridges na puwede po nating daanan dahil delikado po ang pagtawid,” he said.
According to the MMDA Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS), from January to August 2023, there were 2269 pedestrians who were hit. Last year, MMARAS recorded 3161 pedestrians who were hit by vehicles. (MMDA/PIA-NCR)
