The Philippines marked the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims on 16 November 2025. It commemorates Survivors and Their Families under Republic Act 11468. The solemn event began with a walk of solidarity. Participants walked from Quezon City Memorial Circle to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Head Office. Hundreds joined, including government officials, survivors, families of victims, and advocates. They walked in silence, holding candles and photos of loved ones lost to road crashes.
RA 11468 was signed into law to honor those affected by road traffic incidents. It declares the third Sunday of November each year as a day of national remembrance. The law also promotes road safety awareness and pushes for stronger policies. It was passed in response to alarming road crash statistics. According to the Department of Health (DOH), around 17,000 road crash incidents in the Philippines are preventable each year. Road injuries are a leading cause of death for Filipinos aged 15 to 29.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and LTO led today’s program at the LTO head office. They were joined by partner agencies. These agencies include the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), DOH, and LTFRB. Others are the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Education (DepEd). Additionally, there are the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Red Cross, and the Move As One Coalition.
Under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the government is adopting the Safe System Approach. This framework is aligned with the United Nations’ Second Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030). It focuses on five pillars. These are road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users, and improved post-crash response.
“No one should die because of a mistake on the road,” said DOTr officials. The goal is to design a transport system that forgives human error. This includes better road designs, speed management, seatbelt use, motorcycle helmet laws, and faster emergency response.
The event reminded all road users—drivers, riders, pedestrians, and cyclists—that safety is a shared duty. Remembrance must lead to action. Together, the nation moves toward zero road deaths.
