ILOILO – Alarmed by the continued rise in vehicular crashes in the province, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has ordered the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) to intensify road safety enforcement.
Defensor issued the directive during the New Year’s Call of the IPPO and chiefs of police of Iloilo’s 43 local government units on Wednesday, January 14, at Casa Real, following the police report showing a 6.28 percent increase in vehicular crashes in 2025 compared to the previous year.
“Alam kong marami tayong ginagawa na importante. Number 1 vehicular accidents… malaking problema ’yon dahil it is danger to our health, harmful to our people. Number two, ang vehicular accidents are such a burden on our health care system… Ang gasto natin sa hospital sa mga vehicular accidents na dapat wala naman, malaki ’yan,” Defensor said.
He directed IPPO director Police Colonel Bayani Razalan to order all municipal police stations to submit an inventory of crash-prone areas, damaged roads, poorly lit stretches, and locations lacking road signages, noting that crashes are often caused by drunk driving and unsafe road conditions.
“Bigyan niyo kami ng imbentaryo so that we can address it,” the governor said, adding that the provincial government will coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways and other concerned agencies once hazards are identified.
On drunk driving, Defensor pushed for more aggressive random checkpoints and the use of breath analyzers, even offering provincial assistance to procure the equipment if needed.
“Ang kalasingan medyo iba ang solution diyan… are we in a position to random checkpoint… ‘yung test or breath analyzer may ganun ba tayo? Kung wala, I’m willing to help,” he said.
Police data presented during the meeting showed that vehicular accidents rose to 5,341 cases in 2025 from 5,025 in 2024, with increases in reckless imprudence cases resulting in damage to property, physical injury, and homicide.
“Public safety indicators post a growing challenge… the overall rise in road-related incidents underscores the urgent need for intensified traffic law enforcement, road safety campaigns, and public awareness initiatives,” the IPPO accomplishment report stated./PN