Road Safety Camp: Five years and counting

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC) and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) marked five years of holding the Batangas Road Safety Camp by recognising mentors and partners and announcing plans to come up with the Road Safety Comics as part of its information, education and communications campaign.

“I can still remember the first time I joined the group and the workshop we had on module development. I can say I am part of the brain and body of this program,” says Land Transportation Office (LTO) Officer Derwin Panganiban during the opening last May 3.

Shell has been holding the annual Road Safety Camp in Batangas since 2009 in partnership with the Batangas City Mayor’s Office, Transportation Development and Regulatory Office (TDRO), LTO, Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP HPG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - Batangas City, Department of Education (DepEd) – Batangas City, Batangas City Public Information Office (PIO) and Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) – Batangas City.

Over 15,000 elementary and high school students from selected public and private schools in Batangas City have since benefited from the one-day camp aimed at increasing awareness and shaping the values of children on traffic regulations, safety conduct, and road courtesy at an early age.

This year’s camp drew a total of 292 students from 10 public and 3 private schools in Batangas City. This included public elementary schools of Tabangao, Ambulong, Libjo, San Isidro, Malitam, Alangilan, Kumintang and Jose C. Pastor Memorial, public high schools of Tabangao and Batangas, private schools namely University of Batangas, St. Bridget College and Batangas State University Integrated School.

Maria Alda of Tabangao National High School thanked Shell for spearheading the annual activity.  “Shell never fails to support us in DepEd with these programmes. They continue to offer meaningful programs that benefit students as well as teachers,” she said.

The participants learned different facets of Road Safety by visiting the different booths set up at the Batangas City Convention Center.  The booths showcased Batangas Traffic Rules and Regulations, Commuter and Passenger Safety, Bicycle and Motorcycle Safety, General Road Conduct, Basic Concepts in Defensive Driving, Vehicle Permits and Licensing, Road Safety and Security and Road Accidents Emergency Procedures.

Best booth went to TDRO for its Batangas Traffic Rules and Regulations booth, while second place went to Batangas State University for its Pedestrian Safety booth. Campers Van Torres of Kumintang Elementary School and MJ Escobar of BSP were named this year’s Best Campers. [Olivia A. Mamisay]