The event signified the importance of increasing awareness towards road safety with special focus on the safety of children. The attendees expressed their commitment to drum up awareness on the need to act together for children’s safety by signing the SaveKidsLives Banner with their own declaration of support. Using the slogan #SaveKidsLives, the event highlighted the plight of children on the world’s roads in a bid to generate action among all stakeholders.
For a similar crusade, MDPPA also joined Safe Kids Worldwide Philippines and other stakeholders in observance of the National Safe Kids Week at the SM Mall of Asia last June 19, 2015 with this year’s theme: “Promote, Preserve and Practice INGAT BATA! Continuing safety at home, on the road and in school!”
The common message communicated to attendees by the various speakers is the importance of promoting children’s safety. Safety must be taught and practiced everywhere, whether they are at home, in school and on the road and at all times. In his speech, MDPPA President, Mr. Rodel Pablo, emphasized that safety on the road brings about the importance of road users’ social responsibilities. Children are among the particular vulnerable victims since in addition to their fragile physical and mental skills, they lack education and awareness on the proper use of and discipline while on the road. “We must instill good road use habits and discipline in our young so that they can be well equipped when out on the roads”, according to the MDPPA President.
The children showed their creativity and vigor in their delightful cheer competitions which were anchored on the event’s theme. The children also had the opportunity to re-learn road signs and play in the MDPPA Mini Safety Park put up at the venue by riding on the vehicles and demonstrating compliance with the various road signs. The children and other guests had more fun mingling and taking pictures with Rodi (MDPPA’s Road Safety Mascot).
The “Young Road Safety Champion” 2015 was also awarded to a young kid from Cebu during the National Safe Kids Week Celebration. The award is given to the most effective student mentor from the Young Road Safety Advocate program, a peer-to-peer traffic safety education program spearheaded by SKWP. The winner was selected from 300 outstanding fourth and fifth graders from 25 selected schools from around the country who were nominated based on their performance as evaluated by their peers and teachers.
Both events were organized by the Safe Kids Worldwide Philippines, with MDPPA as one of its partners and sponsors.
