Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa delivers his remarks at the 2025 Road Safety Summit in Pasay City on Saturday (June 14, 2024). Herbosa called on the private and public sectors to renew the commitment to reduce road crash deaths and serious injuries by 50 percent by 2028. (PNA photo by Joyce Rocamora)
The Department of Health (DOH) has renewed its push for road safety reforms, urging stronger collaboration among government agencies, private groups, and communities to address the growing number of traffic-related deaths and injuries in the Philippines.
At the 2025 Road Safety Summit held in Pasay City, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized the urgent need to treat road safety as a national health priority. He revealed that road crashes remain among the top 10 causes of death for Filipinos, with over 12,000 fatalities and more than 37,000 injuries recorded in 2024 alone.
“We must act with urgency and unity,” Herbosa said. “We have a shared responsibility to reduce deaths and serious injuries from road crashes by 50 percent by the year 2028. We cannot afford to be complacent—our response must be rooted in evidence and sustained action.”
Herbosa called for stricter enforcement of existing traffic laws, especially those covering speed limits and driving behavior. He also highlighted the need to make road infrastructure more inclusive, particularly for vulnerable users such as motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
One key initiative supported during the summit was the enforcement of the 30 kilometers per hour (kph) speed limit in city and town streets, a standard already outlined in Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. This rule applies to all motor vehicles traveling through lightly trafficked urban streets that are not classified as “through streets.”
Advocates say this speed limit could help transform the country’s urban areas. Robert Siy Jr., co-convenor of the Move As One Coalition, said implementing the 30 kph rule would not only improve safety but also promote more sustainable transport habits.
“If cities adopt this speed limit, it will encourage more people to walk, bike, and use public transportation. It will change the character of our streets—making them safer and more welcoming,” Siy said in an interview. “No city is seriously pushing this yet, but they should be. It’s a game changer.”
The summit brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including road users, law enforcers, policymakers, and private transport providers. Among the attendees were representatives from UNICEF, the World Health Organization, ride-hailing firms Angkas, Joyride, and Move It, as well as the Philippine Association of LTO-Accredited Driving Schools and the Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines.
The event featured interactive booths, educational exhibits, and free health and vehicle services designed to raise awareness about road safety and responsible driving.
With more vehicles on the road and growing urban congestion, Herbosa said the DOH is committed to working closely with partners to turn road safety into a public health success story.
