Run for Road Safety: To Commemorate Chit Simbulan’s Death

Prof. Lourdes “Chit” Estella Simbulan

“Itong mga nangyayaring road crashes, they could really alter someone’s life,” said Roland Simbulan, the husband of the U.P. professor/journalist who was killed in a bus-taxi collision last May 13, 2011.

It’s been almost a year since the untimely death of Lourdes “Chit” Estella Simbulan.

Speed limit has been implemented on major highways, including Commonwealth Avenue—where Chit died instantly.

But the numbers on road injuries keep on rising.

In an interview held at the Café Lupe in Antipolo City, Roland told the bloggers, “I wouldn’t call it an accident. Road crash is more accurate.

“Kasi, it can be prevented. Hindi lang iyan parating dahil sa driver. Minsan, mechanical ang reasons.”

He related this accident that took place in Antipolo last January.

“Alam niyo yung mga biktima dun, they were just watching TV. Di sila lumalabas, nasa bahay lang sila, nawalan ng preno yung truck, bumangga sa kanila. These are people who are supposedly very healthy, then overnight, dahil diyan, mawawalan ng ano, mawawalan ng buhay.”

Of late, he’s been involved in activities promoting road safety.

“Naimbitahan akong speaker noong February 22 sa isang national conference. Ang isang positive outcome, marami kasi akong na-meet na mga relatives ng mga victims and of survivors…”

The following month, the Families of Road Victims and Survivors was born.

He added, “’Tapos ako yung ginawang convenor nila.”

The advocacy group, Roland said, aims to become the “support group of the families of road victims” and, at the same time, “enlighten the public” about the enforcements that need to be done by the agencies.

RUN FOR CHIT. On the death anniversary of his wife, he will be joining the OneA Run For Road Safety in Antipolo City.

“Sa May 11 talaga yung Decade of Action for Road Safety [campaign of United Nations], kaso, Friday yun, may pasok. Kaya ginawang May 13. Tamang-tama, yun yung araw na ano… ng road crash.”

When asked what this run is supposed to achieve, he answered: “to raise the consciousness!”

Roland also encouraged the enforcement people to be more “dutiful.”

“Yung pagkuha ng lisensiya, nabibigyan ng professional driver’s license yung mga hindi naman marunong mag-drive… Dapat nga tanggalan na ng lisensiya yung mga nagkaroon na ng maraming violation, e. Yung mga drunken driving, meron tayong mga rules regarding that.”

Lastly, he asked everyone to join the run and campaign for road safety.

“It’s everybody’s concern,” he ended.

Also present at the bloggers’ night were Alvin Carranza (MacGraphics Carranza and Pilipinas teen Azkals), Chito Manuel (Philippine Football Federation), and Atoy Sta. Cruz (Motorcycle Philippines Federation).

Those who want to register, please contact Vicky 0917 9841063 or text these numbers 09224194879 and 09175599019.

Assembly will be at the OneA Events Place at 5:00 a.m.

Several government agencies joined forces to organize this run: Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Office (LTO); Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Automobile Association of the Philippines, and Motorcycle Philippines Federation.