Various agencies and stakeholders concerned with the increasing number of vehicular accidents in Catanduanes are considering the establishment of trauma centers in health facilities to treat victims with serious injuries.
In the April 14, 2025 meeting spearheaded by the provincial government of Catanduanes, Capitol officials and key partner agencies focused on the issue of worsening road safety that is taking a growing number of lives in recent years.
Representatives from various agencies discussed the main causes behind the surge in road incidents, emphasizing the immediate need for stronger enforcement of traffic regulations.
A key takeaway from the meeting was the call for active involvement from both drivers and pedestrians to ensure safer roads, highlighting the role of the entire community in reducing accidents.
One critical point raised was the lack of timely and accurate reporting of road incidents, which complicates efforts to plan and implement effective solutions.
To address this, the agencies are considering the establishment of trauma centers – specialized facilities to provide urgent care for victims of serious accidents, ensuring timely medical treatment.
The meeting was attended by a broad coalition of stakeholders, including representatives from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC), Provincial Health Office (PHO), Catanduanes Police Provincial Office (CPPO), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMOs), Rural Health Units, District Hospitals, Municipal Health Offices (MHOs), and Municipal Police Stations from all 11 municipalities.
Their united efforts are geared toward strengthening road safety measures and developing effective solutions to combat the growing number of traffic accidents in the province.
In its preliminary death statistics for Catanduanes, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Catanduanes Provincial Statustical Office reported that among 54 deaths due to external causes recorded in the island in 2024, vehicular accident was the highest, with 24 deaths or 44.4 percent of the total.
Suicides with 16 deaths or 29.6 percent, accidents with eight deaths or 14.8 percent, drownings with four deaths or 7.4 percent and fall with two deaths or 3.7 percent.
In 2023, the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office recorded a 31 percent uptick in the number of public safety index cases, particularly those involving reckless imprudence on the island’s roads which increased to 351 from the previous 267 in 2022.
While the number of fatalities arising from vehicular accidents rose by just 1 from 12 to 13 last year, those resulting in physical injuries grew to 178 from the previous 150 while cases of damage to property increased by half to 160, or 55 more than the 105 recorded in 2022.