Civil society groups have partnered to back the newly passed the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act, or Republic Act 11229.
At a news conference in Quezon City, Volet Rojas, Rotary Club of Katipunan president, said “road safety is for our kids, too.”
The child restraint system or child seat would protect children from the fatal impact of road mishaps while on board a private vehicle, she said.
She welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of the law that would guarantee the safety and welfare of infants and children, and prevent traffic related-deaths and injuries.
A child car seat may help reduce the risk of death among children during a car accident between 54 percent to 80 percent, she noted.
Emer Rojas, New Vois Association of the Philippines Inc. president, said about 142,000 children die a year due to road accidents..
“The full implementation of the law shall protect young children,” he told the Manila Standard.
The Rotary and NVAP also tapped private firm TAU Corp. Phils. through its general manager Koki Obara in giving out 20 child car seats for free.
On Feb. 22, the President signed RA 11229 to “adequately, consistently and objectively require, regulate, promote and inform the public on the use of child restraint system.”
The Department of Transportation has yet to come up with the law’s implementing rules and regulations six months before the effectivity of the law.
“We thanked the President for looking after the welfare of the children and even prioritizing health policies,” the NVAP president said.