Pastoral Letter on World Day of Remembrance of Road Traffic Accident Victims and Survivors

PASTORAL LETTER


“I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10)

Come 16 November 2008, we will celebrate the World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Accident Victims and Survivors. This commemoration was made thru a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly that every Third Sunday of November will be a celebration of the World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims. This annual celebration calls an opportunity to increase public awareness of the burden of road traffic collisions on communities, and to emphasize the need to initiate and promote efforts to control this major public health and development problem, and to assist the victims.

This exhortation was particularly requested by the group of Project C.A.R.E.S. chaired by May Altarejos-Cueva to invite and make us aware of the many accidents which happened due to reckless driving or failing to abide the laws of the land for the common good. More than following the law as good citizens, the said celebration reminds us of protecting the fundamental duty of every Christian, that is, to protect life from the moment of conception to its natural death. Truly, death is an inevitable reality in man’s life, yet, life should be protected at all cost from untimely death caused by vehicular accidents. Great care should be taken particularly by the drivers to be conscious of their driving that along the way they may not hurt anyone or cause death to other people.

I enjoin then all the Catholic faithful and the different Christian communities in the Diocese to offer prayers for all the victims, dead or injured, of reckless driving and vehicular accidents and comfort and consolation to the families. Particularly, I asked the clergy to offer Mass on this day November 16 with the same intention. With our prayers, once again the words of our Lord remind us that He came for us to have life and bring this life to its fullness (cf. John 10:10).

Lastly, I appeal to all the drivers to take extra care while driving their vehicles that they may not cause any untoward incident to happen that would bring the horror of consequences of crashes likewise the pain and suffering of the victims. Accidents maybe prevented if due care and cautiousness are observed so as to save life and avoid injuries. This would mean also saving others to become widows/widowers, orphans or to be in the state of bereavement of a loss family member or friend.

I impart to all of you my pastoral blessing.

I impart to all of you my pastoral blessing.



+ VICENTE M. NAVARRA, D.D.
Bishop of Bacolod


10 November 2008

HELP STOP ROAD MISHAPS - WHO

***Article reprinted from the Visayan Daily Star***

byline: PATRICK PANGILINAN

A World Health Organization official yesterday called on multi-sector cooperation to counter the growing number of deaths due to road traffic accidents.

Dr. John Juliard Go, WHO Philippines program manager, said there is a need for a concerted effort from the different sectors of society to reduce, if not totally stop the deaths and injuries that result from vehicular collisions everyday.

Go represented the WHO for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims at the capitol lagoon in Bacolod City, yesterday.

Students, motorcycle hobbyists, police officers, medical practitioners, among others, lighted candles and offered flowers for those who died due to road crashes.

The event, which was on its third celebration in Negros Occidental this year, was organized by Project Cares led by May Altarejos-Cueva.

Go, relaying the message of WHO representative to the Philippines, Dr. Soe Nyunt-u, said that the government can contribute to reduce road traffic accidents by making and enforcing laws on speed limits, the wearing of helmets and seatbelts, and through the regulation against drunk driving.

Pedestrians, on the other hand, can help by obeying traffic signs, like crossing the street through designated areas, Go said.

The groups that participated in the program were the Negros Occidental Provincial Office, the Department of Education Special Education Center, St. Joseph School-La Salle, Alpha Phi Omega, SABRU, PAMET, Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Red Cross, Jaycees, and UNIMFED.

The Sangguniang Kabataan of Sagay City, STAG, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, and the Negros Occidental provincial government also took part in the celebration.*PP