Everyone has the right to go to school to learn and build their future. This is why safe mobility and easy commuting to school are at the heart of everyone’s access to education. Sadly, our children are one of the most vulnerable road users. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults (5-29 years old) globally. In the Philippines, not every student enjoys equal safety on his/her way to and from school.
As part of the growing legacy of Safety Delivered, supported by The UPS Foundation and in cooperation with the Automobile Association Philippines and Department of Education Mandaluyong, AIP Foundation will be hosting a helmet handover ceremony for students from Filemon P. Javier and Dona Basilisa Yangco Elementary Schools.
Importance of road safety education
Tessa Santos, Community Involvement Committee (CIC) Executive Sponsor, UPS Philippines, shared “Collaboration is at the heart of sustainable change in our society and positive impact for a brighter future. UPS and The UPS Foundation are very proud to be at the forefront of safe mobility in the Philippines, together with reliable and committed partners. The alarming low helmet-wearing rate among students highlights the urgent need for preventive action to fight this public health crisis that disproportionately affects young people.”
Among surveyed students – at Filemon P. Javier and Dona Basilisa Yangco schools – who travel by bicycle or other two/three-wheeled motorized vehicles, the number of students who do not own a helmet is 76.7% and 71.4% respectively. Among those who own or have access to a helmet, the number reported to always wear helmets when commuting to and from school is 46.8% and 51.1% respectively.
Dr. Romela M. Cruz, Schools Division Superintendent of Department of Education Mandaluyong shared “Parents are always thinking about the future of their children and what lies ahead for them. It is unacceptable to me that road crashes are the major killer of children and young adults, especially on their way to education. We must address the severity of the road safety crisis to create a better tomorrow and a safer future for all the children.”
Helmets can save lives
Helmets are uniquely affordable and effective protection against head injuries on the road. Wearing a quality helmet can reduce the risk of death by 42% and the risk of serious brain injury by 69%. The helmet handover will promote community awareness of the life-saving importance of increasing child helmet use. As the students, their parents, and school administrators will be attending the ceremony, this event is a good way to raise road safety awareness among the school community. Parents will share their commitment to ensuring their child’s safety by signing a commitment letter vowing that their child will wear a helmet.
Mark F. Desales, Chief Executive Officer of Automobile Association Philippines said, “It is very important that helmet safety education reaches students and their communities in the Philippines. Supporting Safety Delivered program marks our commitment to encourage all road users in the Philippines to wear helmets on the roads by promoting meaningful behavior”.
The students will receive their helmets and learn about helmet safety rules from AIP Foundation and UPS volunteers. We are delighted to welcome dedicated volunteers from UPS Vietnam to demonstrate to the students how to wear a helmet correctly. A fun and interactive way for students to be educated about helmet safety so that they can also raise awareness about the importance of helmet use and quality helmets among their communities.
Mirjam Sidik, AIP Foundation CEO explained, “We believe in a human-centered approach to mobility. This means streets and cities where children can cycle, walk, and ride safely to school to access their education and their future. This is our wish for every student at the Filemon P. Javier and Dona Basilisa Yangco schools and around the world. This event today is bringing us closer to our vision of a world where all neighborhood streets are livable, safe, and sustainable.”