THERE is not one day that passes where we don’t see a road accident happening in our midst. Sad. It’s become almost commonplace, motorists getting involved in collisions that either claim lives or render victims losing limbs if not paralyzed for life.
The most common causes cited in police reports are mechanical breakdown, like a brake gone haywire, or human error as in the driver losing control of the wheel.
Other reasons include drunken driving, lack of sleep, driver-fatigue and, yes, drug-laden drivers.
Of course, reckless driving is also a common culprit, as in speeding, wild swerving and miscalculation resulting from faulty, imprecise, overtaking.
There is, of course, that oft-repeated trigger of confrontation between trouble-prone drivers: road rage. It has become now almost a scourge that, at times, it leads to death arising from gun shots and other deadly weapons wielded wildly like knives, metal pipes and even baseball bats. Oftentimes, what caused the road rage was a simple loss of road courtesy-gitgitan (not yielding an inch) amid traffic or at jammed intersections.
It is for this reason that the Truck Manufacturers Association, Inc. (TMA) has recently renewed its commitment to institute safer and more responsible transport operations in the country.
In a scintillating move, the TMA threw its support behind the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) National Road Safety Campaign through two major initiatives held during National Road Safety Month of May-first through a transport cooperative training program, and second through participation in the culminating National Road Safety Summit.
TMA point-person Yvonne Linchangco said that ‘as one of the country’s leading industry associations representing commercial vehicle manufacturers and distributors, TMA continues to advocate that road safety is not solely achieved through regulations and infrastructure, but also through education, vehicle readiness, industry collaboration and responsible transport practices.’
She said TMA has partnered with DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in conducting the National Road Safety Training last May 21, 2026 for members, drivers, operators and mechanics of Lungsod Silangan Transport Service and Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LSTSMPC) in Antipolo, Rizal.
The training focused on strengthening awareness and practical understanding of road safety and vehicle operation among transport sector stakeholders.
Sessions covered Modern PUV standards, vehicle safety features and operations, preventive maintenance, basic troubleshooting, pre-drive vehicle inspection, and fuel eco-driving practices, equipping participants with practical knowledge that can be directly applied in daily transport operations.
TMA has focused its participation on three key pillars: delivering capacity-building training on standards and safety, supporting vehicle inspection and validation awareness, and promoting information and advocacy under the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (PRSAP).
In his remarks, TMA president Robert Carlos emphasized that creating safer roads requires active participation from all sectors. ‘Road safety is a shared responsibility,’ said Carlos. ‘Every driver, operator, manufacturer, and stakeholder has a role in creating safer roads and more reliable transport services. Through initiatives like this, we hope to empower transport communities with practical knowledge that can help improve both vehicle readiness and driving discipline in everyday operations.’
Also present during the activity was LTFRB Executive Director Atty. Sherwin Vizconde, who recognized the value of continued collaboration between government and industry in extending road safety education directly to transport operators and drivers.
‘We are thankful to TMA for taking part in this year’s National Road Safety Campaign and for helping extend road safety education directly to transport cooperatives and drivers,’ Vizconde said. ‘Programs like this demonstrate how collaboration between government and the private sector can create meaningful outcomes for the transport sector and contribute to building a stronger culture of safety on our roads.’
TMA introduced attendees to the role of commercial vehicle manufacturers in promoting safer transport operations and highlighted the importance of continuous driver education, proper vehicle maintenance and industry-government collaboration.
TMA deserves praise.
PEE STOP Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), in collaboration with Toyota Tacloban, Leyte Inc., is putting up a service center in Palo, Leyte. Mark Luigi Bautista says this will be TMP’s first service center in Leyte. It will cover a total floor area of 6,000 square meters and provide a comprehensive range of services, including express maintenance, periodic maintenance and general repairs. Expected to open by mid-2027, it will also feature a modern showroom and 32 fully equipped service bays. ‘For the past 13 years, Toyota Tacloban has been committed to the Toyota brand through quality products and services to our customers,’ says TMP senior vice president for marketing Sherwin Chua-Lim. ‘And over time, we have gained the trust of some 28,000 thousand customers to date, reflecting the confidence that the people of Leyte have placed in us.’ Cheers!