Balbalan drivers learn defensive driving to reduce number of road accidents

Balbalan, Kalinga – While road accidents remain to be a concern in the province, this could be avoided when drivers are equipped with knowledge on road safety like defensive driving, says Balbalan Mayor Almar Malannag.

The mayor made this statement after more than 300 drivers from Balbalan – both young and adults – attended the 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course seminar on June 25 – 26, 2024 at the KDCM Sports Center.

The participants, through the Land Transportation Office Kalinga District Office and the Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group, were taught with the basics of driving and road safety. 

Malannag relayed that the importance of defensive driving was also emphasized to the drivers who were 16 and above.

“Uray nu haan mo basul, nu basol iti kasabat mo, agpabigay ka, ag-defensive ka tapnu maiwasan iti aksidente. Uray nu linyam diay pinagna diay maysa, anusam nga agpabigay ta biyag iti isal-salba tayo,” he said.

The mayor who was once worked at the LTO further expressed that driving seminars like the event recently held in Balbalan play crucial role in curbing the number of road accidents which are mostly caused by lack of discipline on the part of drivers.

“Adu iti accidents karkaru kadagitoy u-ubbing nga adda motor na. Nu awan iti seminar tayo iti defensive driving, diay iti problema tayo. Adu iti aksidente … ta ti tattao gamin ket awan iti disiplina da nu maminsan,” he pointed out.

Malannag enjoined his constituents to abide by the traffic rules specified under Republic Act 4136 or the ‘Land Transportation and Traffic Code’ as well as by the rules covered by local ordinances.

Meantime, after completing the 2-day seminar, drivers in Balbalan were given certificates and are now eligible to student driving permit.