BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Bontoc Municipal Police Station (MPS) is reminding motorists/ drivers of road safety and solicited the assistance of the barangay officials in informing their constituents to always develop the habit of checking BLOWBAGETS.
The PNP came up with the “BLOWBAGETS”, which is an acronym to remind motorists to always examine their car’s battery, lights, oil, water, brake, air, gas, engine, tire, and self.
On behalf of PMAJ Ryan Wakat, the OIC Chief of Police of the Bontoc MPS, PEMS Jim Kinomon made this appeal during the First Quarter meeting of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) on February 20, 2024.
Per a report from the Bontoc MPS, six Vehicular Traffic Accidents (VTAs) have already been recorded from January 1, 2024- until February 19, 2024. Two VTAs occurred in Barangay Caluttit, and one in Barangays Bayyo, Poblacion, Talubin, and Tocucan. Of the six VTAs, 33 individuals have been injured and five damage to properties were recorded.
Relative to these incidents, he mentioned that the Bontoc MPS continuously intensifies its Information Education and Communication (IEC) campaign on responsible driving as the primary cause of road accidents are road conditions and human error, such as miscalculations on overtaking and turning; overloading; and driving under the influence of liquor.
Kinomon further said that they regularly conduct a series of visitations at terminals of public utility buses, public utility vans, public utility jeepneys, and parking lots to remind drivers and conductors to develop the habit of checking BLOWBAGETS. He added that the same IEC is being done by the personnel of the Bontoc MPS in the establishment of checkpoints and conduct of foot patrols.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., who also chairs the MDRRMC, supported the appeal of the Bontoc MPS to the public on responsible driving.
“Let us all be reminded of the traffic rules and regulations so we can all get where we need to safely,” the mayor added.
By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay