Ford Inter-School Road Safety Contest Launched

Now accepting applications until October 1, 2008

Ford Philippines announces the start of the 3rd Ford Road Safety Inter-school Competition. This initiative to make schools a safer place for motorists and pedestrians is already on its third year and shows no signs of slowing down. The contest invites groups of three to five students plus a teacher to submit a proposal for a road safety project they can implement within their school’s community. Project proposals must be submitted on or before October 1, 2008, after which 10 finalists will be selected. Ford will provide funding of up to P100,000 for the top three winning projects to be awarded in January 2009. Ford will also give the winners cash prizes of P10,000 for first place, P7,000 for second place and P5,000 for third place.

“Through this contest, Ford reiterates its commitment to promote road safety among the youth. Ford likewise aims to empower students to advocate among their peers the importance of acquiring responsible road habits,” Ford Group Philippines president Rick Baker said.

“This ‘for the youth by the youth’ approach created the Ford Road Safety Youth Council (RSYC), which is tasked to create programs their peers would easily understand. And since the best way to learn is by doing, through this contest the RSYC encourages a more active participation of the youth in advocating road safety,” explained RSYC president Vic Rosales.

Bringing road safety to the 2nd home

The inter-school road safety competition is open to students who have undergone the Responsibility In Driver Education (RIDE) sessions conducted by Ford. The contest is a venue for them to go beyond theories and concepts they have learned at the RIDE seminars, and challenges them to put up concrete projects that improve road safety in their respective schools and communities.

Last year, Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School’s entry “Safe Actions for Everyone” won first place. And just as the project title suggested the grants money was used to put up road signs inside and around the school, now their community is more aware of appropriate traffic rules and act accordingly. It also funded the repair of a gutter and an unlabeled sidewalk making this school zone a much safer place for pedestrians

Meanwhile, Don Bosco Technical Institute’s “Don Bosco Makati Parking Area and Driveway Improvement “project was awarded second. Within three months of awarding the road leading to the school was constructed and pedestrian lanes were painted along Chino Roces Ave and Don Bosco St making the school zone safer for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Rounding up the finalists, Marikina City’s Parang High School won third place for their road safety project involving the reconcreting of a dilapidated manhole, rehabilitation of a waiting shed and even the construction of a stage. These facilities are now being enjoyed by the students. The project’s overall impact is not just an improvement of the physical structures it also lead to a safer, more orderly campus.

Interested groups may contact Aileen Urgelles, Ford Road Safety Secretariat at 817-7795 / 893-7049 or 0922-8779035 or email at fordroadsafetysec@yahoo.com.