TACLOBAN CITY — The local government of Calbayog has expressed alarm over the increasing number of road accidents in the city this holiday season and called for more safety campaigns.

Calbayog Mayor Raymund Uy and city disaster risk reduction and management officer Sandro Daguman — in a recent meeting — agreed to give importance to vehicular accident prevention as the mayor encouraged the conduct of more road safety advocacy campaigns and the establishment of checkpoints on major roads in the city.

He stressed that road safety is not just a role of government agencies but a shared responsibility with road and vehicle users.

"Every barangay should have competent emergency personnel ready to respond to alarms and emergencies," Uy said.

To recall, police recorded at least five vehicular accidents in Calbayog City on 24 to 26 December alone, involving different types of vehicles.

The deadliest occurred on Christmas Eve in Matobato village, killing six teenagers and injuring five others.

A report said a tricycle driver maneuvered towards the other side of the lane and did not notice the parked backhoe, hitting the bus passing the other side of the road, resulting in the accident.

Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas director Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, earlier appealed to motorists to drive carefully to avoid accidents.