The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will hold a meeting with haulers and truckers and other sectors to discuss reminders and preventive measures to avoid road accidents.
This week's meeting comes after a series of recent vehicular mishaps in Metro Manila last week.
"Mamaya po ikakasa po namin 'yung pagpapatawag ng pagpupulong multisectoral, hindi lamang po yung mga asosasyon ng mga trucks, kasama na rin dyan yung mga asosasyon ng mga gumagamit ng kotse at iba pang sector para mapag-usapan po kung paano ba natin maiiwasan itong mga ganitong aksidente," MMDA Chairman Romando "Don" Artes said in an exclusive interview on Dos Por Dos.
Artes expressed concern over the rising number of accidents, which he believes could have been prevented with proper measures.
"Medyo nababahala kami kasi sunod sunod yung mga aksidente na kinabibilangan hindi lamang yung trucks, motor, mga kotse na sa tingin naman e kaya naman itong maiwasan at hanapan ng paraan," Artes noted.
The chairman emphasized that incidents where truck drivers claim they lost control of the brakes could be avoided if vehicles were properly maintained.
"Ang mga truck drivers na sinasabing nawalan sila ng kontrol sa preno ay maiiwasan sana kung properly maintained ang kanilang mga sasakyan," he said.
Meanwhile, program host Anthony Taberna raised his concern that many truck drivers often use brake malfunction as an excuse during accidents, when in reality, it might stem from negligence.
He suggested that authorities inspect vehicles immediately after accidents to verify if brake failure was indeed the cause.
"Lagi nalang po 'yun e, naging usual excuse na nawalan ng preno. Pwede bang mai-check 'yun chairman yung mismong sasakyan pagkatapos ng aksidente at sinasabi niyang nawalan ng preno?" Taberna said.
Artes agreed, saying, "'Magandang suggestion po 'yan and it will apply not only to us pero sa pag-iimbestiga pero ganon din po siguro sa kapulisan na kasama naman po natin sa meeting na atin pong ikakasa this week."
On Thursday evening, four people lost their lives, and 25 others were injured in a road mishap on the Aurora Boulevard flyover along Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City.
According to a report by RH Noche Cacas, a truck driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle, crashing into another car, which then struck multiple motorcycles parked along the roadside.
The collision involved 16 motorcycles, five four-wheeled vehicles, and one bus.
On Friday evening, another accident occurred when a wing van plowed into several vehicles after reportedly losing its brakes along Skyway At-Grade in Parañaque City. This has led to one fatality, and five others injured.
Holiday Season Advisory
As the holiday season approaches, Artes advised the public to plan their trips carefully, as heavy traffic is expected.
"Asahan po natin yung pagbigat ng daloy ng traffic lalo na sa malls, so tayo po ay nananawagan sa ating mga kababayan na planuhin nang mabuti ang byahe po nila," Artes said.
