Gwyneth Perseveranda

Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña is urging for the amendment of the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, also known as Republic Act No. 10586, to restrict intoxicated car and motorcycle drivers even if they have only consumed a small amount of alcohol.

Photo Courtesy of Philkotse.

On December 20, Cendaña stated in an online interview that RA No. 10586 only apprehends drunk drivers already on the road; this prompted him to file House Bill 11220, also called the “Iwas Amats, Iwas Aksidente” bill.

This measure seeks to enforce stiffer road protocols to ensure the safety of drivers who are under the influence of alcohol.

“Nakita natin na hindi naman kailangan bangenge talaga to be impaired as a driver,” Cendaña said.

“Baka kailangan ibaba pa natin nang konti pa ‘yung threshold in terms of alcohol consumption, kahit tipsy lang, dapat ipagbawal na talaga ang pagmamaneho,” he added.

Cendaña also asserted that even if you are merely tipsy, driving should not be done, especially during this season when there are numerous Christmas parties and other celebrations.

“This is a measure to guarantee the safety of everyone on the road. Kahit tipsy pa lang, hindi na dapat nagda-drive. Lalo na ngayon, maraming Christmas parties, kailangan nating masiguro ang safety ng mga drivers. Regalo na natin ito sa mga uuwian nilang pamilya ngayong Pasko,” the Akbayan solon said.

Cendaña’s bill proposes utilizing breathalyzers, an instrument used to measure alcohol content in the breath, to conduct breathalyzer tests.

The tests will be performed by toll operators and local traffic enforcement officers to avoid accidents due to drunk driving.

“We are really alarmed by the numbers dahil halos one-third ng mga namatay sa vehicular accidents sa bansa ay dahil sa alak. One life lost to alcohol-related accidents is one too many, so we have to immediately act on the situation,” Cendaña added.

In the Philippines, from 2015 to 2019, a record of 5,213 deaths out of the 18,735 deaths from road crashes are alcohol-related.

An estimate of three out of ten deaths from vehicular accidents involved an alcohol-impaired driver.