BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Road traffic injuries and deaths remain a pressing public health concern in the Cordillera Region, a situation that calls for stronger coordination and collective effort.
Dr. Jennifer Joyce Pira, Road Safety Program Manager of the Department of Health -Cordillera (DOH CAR) stressed this situation during the launching and first coordination meeting of Project BIAG (Brigada Iwas Aksidente sa Gulong) on June 18, 2026.
Region faces unique challenges
Dr. Pira noted that while improved highways bring progress, they also create new challenges, often linked to road user behavior rather than road conditions alone.
Common issues include speeding, driving under the influence, non-use of safety helmets, and unclear pedestrian pathways.
In the Cordillera, compounding these factors are the region’s distinct geography: mountainous terrain, winding roads, and far-flung communities that make emergency response more difficult.
Alarming statistics call for action
Based on 2025 data from the Online Injury Information System, Cordillera recorded a mortality rate of 11.33 deaths per 100,000 population, almost three times the national target of four per 100,000.
In terms of rates relative to population, Apayao posted the highest, followed by Abra. But in terms of cases in general, Baguio City had the most incidents. Males make up the majority of victims.
“Right now, data only comes from health facilities. A unified system will give us a clearer, more accurate picture of what is really happening,” Pira said, pointing out gaps in the current system. She cited fragmented data gathering between hospitals and local government units, inconsistent reporting, and uneven emergency preparedness and logistics support.
“Road crashes are preventable, they depend on how responsible drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians are, and how well we work together across sectors,” she emphasized.
Project BIAG: Working together for safer roads
Project BIAG was designed as a regional mechanism aligned with the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023–2028. Initially focusing on reducing motorcycle-related injuries which comprise the most common type recorded, the initiative aims to harmonize efforts across agencies.
Key priorities include establishing a functional coordination system, creating a unified road safety data repository, improving mass casualty response, building capacity among local responders, and strengthening advocacy campaigns.
“We do not need new programs; we just need to align and strengthen what we already have,” Dr. Pira explained.
DOH will lead in data management, monitoring, and emergency preparedness while partner agencies will focus on infrastructure, enforcement, and information.
“Through coordination, shared responsibility, and one clear direction, we can reduce accidents, save lives, and ensure safer roads for every Cordilleran,” she said.
Dr. Pira shared that her personal experience is fueling her commitment to this road safety initiative.
A licensed driver and cyclist herself, Dr. Pira recalled a 2017 incident when she rushed from Subic to Baguio City ahead of Typhoon Nando, only to be apprehended for over-speeding.
“That experience taught me a valuable lesson. I realized how easily a moment of haste could lead to a life-changing accident, whether I become the victim or the one causing harm. It made me want to step up and help make a difference,” she shared. **JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR
