The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) VI entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Iloilo City Government on the implementation of the Traffic Academy Program on July 20, 2022 at the Mayor’s Office, Iloilo City Hall.

With the objective to “create new generations of disciplined drivers and commuters,” the Iloilo City Government through its Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) will establish the Traffic Academy that would revolutionize the traffic management training space through an innovative, engaging and enlightening development of traffic management personnel in the city.

OIC-Regional Director Arecio A. Casing, Jr., CESO IV, represented the NEDA VI in the MOU signing with the Iloilo City Government represented by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas. Together with NEDA VI, the University of the Philippines Visayas, as well as regional line agencies with road safety mandates and related services such as the Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, and Philippine National Police (Iloilo City Police Office and Regional Highway Patrol Unit) were also signatories.

Through this MOU, the signatories will provide technical support in the conduct of trainings on traffic enforcement and management, and formulation of appropriate manuals and literatures to guide local government units in their respective traffic plans.

The NEDA VI has been at the forefront of road safety advocacy with the establishment of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Database for Road Incident Visualization, Evaluation and Reporting System (DRIVERS) in 2021 under the Development Administration Committee of the Regional Development Council VI.

The NEDA VI serves as the lead entity in the said regional TWG which aims to institutionalize evidence-based decision-making to curb road crash injuries and fatalities. (PFPD/RCMacalalag)