In a move to promote road safety awareness among children, NLEX Corporation launched a Filipino-language picture book titled “Ang Bida ng Kalsada” at the National Library of the Philippines.
“The ‘Ang Bida ng Kalsada Picture Book’ is our modest contribution and response to UNICEF’s call for action to protect our children who use the road, either as pedestrians, as passengers, and as responsible members of the community,” NLEX president and general manager, J. Luigi L. Bautista said.
“ The story of Danny and Dexter, the main characters in the book, is rich with invaluable road safety lessons that children can easily connect with,” he added.
This full colored book written in Filipino helps children appreciate road safety by understanding the context behind different traffic rules and regulations in a story covering a child’s journey. The book will be distributed to Grades 3-6 public school students in 20 schools within NLEX, SCTEX- NLEX Connector’s host communities.
Director Marilyn Siao of DepEd’s Bureau of Learning and Delivery extended its gratitude towards NLEX as the book not only teaches safe road practices but also good values.
“In the pages of this beautifully illustrated book that we launched today, children embarked on a journey filled with important lessons about being responsible pedestrians, about being conscientious passengers and active members of the community. Through a captivating storytelling and vibrant imagery, they not only learn the rules of the road, but also embrace values of caution, compassion, and cooperation,” she said.
In November 2021, the Metro Pacific Tollway Corporation, the mother company of NLEX Corporation, entered a multi-year agreement with UNICEF, pledging support for its Child Road Safety Program under the United Nations’ Second Decade of Action for Road Safety. Under the partnership, NLEX has committed to assisting 100 schools in identified high-risk areas.
“It is our hope that initiatives like these will contribute to the reduction of road accidents. As parents who trust our children to venture beyond the safety of our homes, and as teachers who bid farewell to students at day’s end, we hold onto the hope of seeing our children become responsible road users. We also hope this picture book can actually bring about positive change in the lives of children, parents, and teachers alike,” said Bautista.
‘Ang Bida ng Kalsada’ is just one of NLEX’s efforts to contribute to UNICEF’s goal to reduce road traffic fatalities by 50 percent by year 2030.
Aside from these road safety awareness initiatives, NLEX also opened a Road Traffic Safety Hub and Park in Mabalacat, Pampanga. The said park facility provides an avenue for its stakeholders, including children, to be exposed to and educated on safe road practices.