Highway Patrol Group beefs up road safety measures in Southern Tagalog

MANILA, Philippines - Acting in the wake of a recent accident involving two passenger buses in Lucena City, Quezon, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) of the Philippine National Police is beefing up road safety measures on highways in Southern Tagalog.

The collision between units of the Lucena and Bragais bus companies along the Lucena City Diversion Highway in Barangay Dumawit last Aug. 23 left at least nine people dead and at least 40 others injured.

HPG director Chief Superintendent Orlando Mabutas said the measures include road safety inspections along the stretch of the Manila South Road from the South Luzon Expressway to the Bicol region.

Mabutas said the HPG will install road safety signs and will put up motorist safety control points in strategic locations along the national highways.

According to Mabutas, the HPG will distribute leaflets, flyers and information materials on safe driving to inform motorists of road conditions.

In Lucena City, the HPG will put up its motorist safety control point at a major intersection along the Diversion Road in Barangay Dumawit manned by operatives of the HPG-Calabarzon office led by Senior Superintendent Antonio Gardiola.

Meanwhile, the HPG said it will also review its mandate on road safety and will coordinate closely with other concerned agencies. – Mike Frialde