Strict measures sought in Senate after deaths in Marilaque 'racetrack'

Stringent measures were sought in a Senate hearing Monday following the reported deaths in Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon (Marilaque) Highway as motorcycle riders purportedly use the roads, particularly in Tanay area, as racetracks.

The concern was raised by National Public Transport Coalition (NPTC) President Ariel Lim during the Senate public services hearing on the Magna Carta of Commuters bill and Philippine Transportation Security bill.

"Baka po 'yung Marilaque pwedeng lagyan din [ng police outpost]. Marilaque Highway, ang dami pong patay. Meron na naman kahapon... Ang tagal na po naming ni-re-request na maglagay sana ng outpost. Ang dami pong patay diyan maski kunin ninyo po ang list," Lim said.

(We ask that a police outpost be installed on Marilaque Highway. There are a lot of deaths there. The latest happened yesterday. We've been requesting an outpost in that area.)

"Doon po sa Tanay, papuntang Tanay. Ang record po ng patay natin d'yan napakalaki… Ang dami pong namatay, nadamay pati mga private vehicles," he added.

(In Tanay ... going to Tanay. The list of fatalities there is high. A lot of deaths there have been recorded.]

Senator Raffy Tulfo, who presided over the hearing, asked the Philippine National Police to check on Lim's concern.

"Ginagawang racetrack 'to every Sunday," Tulfo said addressing PNP Police Brigadier General Reynaldo Pawid.

(It is being used as a racetrack every Sunday.)  

"We'll check on this, sir," Pawid responded.

"We will direct them (PNP Region IV-A) again to intensify their presence in that area," he added.

No specific figures on the supposed fatalities were immediately available.

Tulfo urged the PNP to address this problem within five working days. Otherwise, Tulfo said Pawid and PNP chief Police  General Rommel Marbil will be criticized.

The Department of Works and Highways said they are aware of the situation in Marilaque Highway and informed the Senate panel that they have already installed rumble strips in the corners along the passage.

According to DPWH Internal Affairs Division chief Mihail Tupaz, the road crashes still continue because it is "being used as a racing place for motorcycles."

Tulfo also pressed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to write the local government units that cover the areas where the accidents are happening.

"Pakiusapan niyo po 'yung LGU na nakakasakop dito, kung sino ang mga mayors dito. Do something. Magkaroon ng programa kasi constituent din po nila karamihan siguro ang naaksidente dito," the senator said.

(Ask the LGUs who have jurisdiction over these roads to address this because their constituents are at risk.)  

Tulfo said it should be the DILG secretary who must write the LGUs within five working days.

Gino Lavarias of the DILG committed to inform his principals about Tulfo's request. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News