JULY 23, 2026
OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental — Misamis Occidental has formed a provincial task force on road safety following 751 recorded road accidents during the first half of 2026, prompting local and national government agencies to strengthen efforts to prevent crashes and protect motorists and pedestrians.
Governor Henry S. Oaminal called for the first coordination meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Road Safety on July 23, following an earlier meeting with agencies concerned with road safety and traffic management.
Created through Executive Order No. HSO-034 and chaired by Oaminal, the task force brings together local chief executives and their representatives, the Misamis Occidental Police Provincial Office headed by PCol. Reynaldo Mclang, the Highway Patrol Group, the 1st and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Companies, Land Transportation Office district officials, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, concerned provincial department heads and partner national government agencies.
The task force aims to develop coordinated measures toward the province’s goal of reducing road accidents and, eventually, achieving zero road deaths and injuries from road crashes.
Retired Police Colonel Danildo Tumanda, vice chairperson of the task force, said road safety requires greater attention despite the province’s progress in other areas.
He noted that Misamis Occidental has continued to improve its infrastructure, healthcare services, tourism and peace and order situation, but road accidents remain a pressing concern.
Based on the figures presented during the meeting, the province recorded an average of two to three road accidents each day during the first half of the year.
Oroquieta City recorded the highest number of incidents at 213, followed by Ozamiz City with 116 and Clarin with 94. Vehicular collisions, human error, alcohol involvement, and stray animals were identified among the leading factors behind the incidents. Nearly 65 percent of those involved in the recorded accidents were between 18 and 35 years old.
The figures prompted task force members to discuss measures that could address both driver behavior and road conditions.
Officials emphasized that reducing road accidents cannot be achieved by a single agency alone and will require coordinated action among local governments, law enforcement agencies, transport authorities and communities.
