TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Tabuk City has recorded a total of 68 vehicular traffic accidents from January to February 22 this year.
According to BFP Tabuk City Information Officer FO2 Flora Magannon, the recorded data is alarming compared to the incidents within the same period last year, with around 22 VTAs.
The BFP only addressed the records in response to calls and information it received. The statistics do not include all occurrences that were handled by the PNP, City Health Office, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and other agencies.
Based on their data, the BFP noted that incidents usually occur at 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The data indicates that the typical age range for VTA incidents is 19–40. Males make up the bulk of people involved in VTAs.
Motorcycles make up the majority of the vehicles involved, followed by tricycles and kuliglig. The majority of motorcycle accidents are the result of drunkenness-related human error.
Most incidents occurred along the roads in Bulanao, Bulanao Norte, and San Juan.
In order to prevent or reduce traffic accidents, Magannon urged all drivers to take safety precautions and to abide by all traffic laws.
She advised the public not to touch the body of victims if they were not trained for emergencies because the response could cause more harm to them. She also informed the public that the BFP, CDRRMO, and other emergency response teams could be summoned for quick rescue if incidents happen.
She continued by saying that because there are several barangays, barangay officials and volunteers need ongoing emergency response training in order to be ready to act quickly. They also need to use the city-donated vehicles in their individual barangays for emergency situations.
Meanwhile, BFP Tabuk City has responded to a total of nine fire incidents early this year. By Ian Addatu