CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Board has approved a resolution urging the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to develop and implement road safety and disaster readiness courses aimed at improving emergency preparedness and reducing road mishaps across the province.
Approved during the Board’s regular session on July 20, 2026, the resolution recommends the creation of a comprehensive training program that will equip citizens, particularly government personnel, with practical knowledge and skills in:
- road safety,
- accident prevention,
- emergency response,
- disaster preparedness,
- crisis management, and
- disaster recovery.
The resolution was authored by Board Member Loren Singco and co-authored by Board Members Nelson Mondigo and Stanley Caminero.
Focus: Road safety, disaster preparedness
The proposed courses are intended for the general public, with emphasis on personnel involved in disaster risk reduction, emergency response, public safety, traffic management, law enforcement, and peacekeeping.
The Provincial Board said the program aims to strengthen public safety by providing participants with practical skills to prevent accidents, respond effectively during emergencies, and recover from disasters.
Road crashes highlight need for training
The measure comes as road crashes continue to claim lives in Cebu.
According to a recent CDN Digital report, Talisay City, a component city of Cebu province, recorded 15 road crash fatalities from January 1 to July 5, 2026, according to the City of Talisay Traffic Operations and Development Authority (CT-TODA).
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In an open letter posted on the agency’s social media page on July 5, CT-TODA chief Jonathan Tumulak expressed concern over the rising number of fatalities, saying the death toll during the first half of the year had already exceeded that of the same period in previous years.
He attributed most of the fatal crashes to reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Provincial Board believes that strengthening road safety education through structured training could help prevent accidents and improve emergency response in communities across Cebu.
China study mission-inspired
According to the resolution, the proposal stemmed from a study mission the Cebu Province underwent in Nanning City, Guangxi, China, from June 23 to 26, 2026, led by Singco.
During the visit, delegates underwent training at the Guangxi Emergency and Safety Education Center, where they participated in an educational course on road safety and disaster readiness.
The resolution noted that the program demonstrated the value of equipping participants with practical skills in accident prevention, emergency response, disaster preparedness, and crisis management.
It recommended adopting a similar program in Cebu not only for government personnel involved in safety and peacekeeping but also for the general public.
Legal basis
The resolution cited provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 as the basis for the recommendation.
It noted that the law requires local government units to promote the general welfare and ensure public safety within their respective jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, the law also authorizes the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to adopt measures that protect residents from natural disasters and provide relief and assistance to disaster victims.