GenSan News Online Mag

General  Santos City will play host to the forthcoming 39th National Road Safety Convention a month from now, on May 17 to 20, 2009 at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center.

This early, the city through a directive from Mayor Jun Acharon, has already finalized, the needed preparations to make the gathering a success.  He has assigned a Task Force headed by Chief of Staff Ernie Quisay to ensure that the four-day gathering of all the officers and members of the Safety Organization of the Philippines will be a success.

According to its website, “the Safety Organization of the Philippines (SOPI) is a non-profit, non-govermental, national public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. Members of SOPI include businesses, schools, public agencies, private groups, labor organizations and individuals. Founded in 1959, the primary focus of SOPI is preventing deaths and injuries that occur in workplace, homes, communities and roads.”
For this year’s convention, the theme is, “Think DEEP (Discipline, Education and Environmental Protection for Road Safety).”

The topics during this 39th National Road Safety Convention will be:

• Road Safety:  Back to Basics
• Defensive Driving
• Innovative Projects for Children on Road Safety
• Drunk Driving
• Road Safety Action Plan Updates
• OBR “Organized Bus Routes”
• LGU Road Safety Program
• Pollution-Free Emission
• Commuter Role and Protection
• Insurance Education
• Enforcement Safety/Protection
• Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance System
• Managing Truck Overloading in the Philippines
• Update on UP Diliman Traffic Safety Model Zone Project

There will also be an awarding ceremony for the different Road Safety Categories:

• Outstanding Transport Category
  • City Bus
  • Provincial Bus
  • Taxi
  • Transport Coop
  • Truckers
  • Haulers
  • Motorcycle Club
• Outstanding Road Safety Program
  • Private Sector
  • Government Sector
• Outstanding Drivers of the Philippines
  • Jeepney
  • Taxi
  • Truck Driver
  • City Bus
  • Provincial Bus
  • Private Company/Organization
• Outstanding Road Safety Practitioners
  • Enforcement Category
  • Engineering Category
  • Education Category
  • Environmental Category

Bariles learned that around 250-300 participants are expected to attend this convention.  The convention fee is P6,000.00 (Live-out package).

For more information, contact the Safety Organization of the Philippines, Inc. with telephone #s (02) 531-0739/ 531-0766.  You may email them at sopi@pldtdsl.net or visit their website at www.sopi-phil.org .