HARI champions road safety with the “Voice of Volvo”

The first installment of Volvo’s Road Safety master class series brings together a panel of experts to tackle “Driving a Safer Future: An Ecosystem Approach to Road Safety”.

Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Volvo Cars in the Philippines, takes a proactive stance to address road safety  concerns in the country. 

Through the Voice of Volvo: Road Safety Master Class series, Volvo Philippines steps up to apply the Volvo Group’s “Vision Zero” to the country’s day-to-day realities.  

“Vision Zero” is Volvo’s global commitment to a future with zero road fatalities or serious injuries. 

For the inaugural session, themed “Driving a Safer Future: An Ecosystem Approach to Road Safety,” HARI engages a distinguished panel of experts who will tackle core challenges with regard to road safety from their respective disciplines: education and consumer protection  champion, Hon. Sherwin Gatchalian; Assistant Secretary for Road Transport, Department of  Transportation, Dioscoro Reyes; Executive Director of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (e-VAP) Dr. Jose Bienvenido M. Biona; and distinguished academic and specialist in governance, human rights, and social enterprise development Dr. Grace Gorospe-Jamon. 

Forum Moderator is respected multi-awarded broadcast journalist Rico Hizon.

A Collective Drive Toward Safer Roads

Volvo Philippines has identified the following critical barriers to road safety: Disjointed policies that hinder coordinated efforts; low public awareness and risky road behavior; the lack of proactive responsibility; gaps in infrastructure planning; limited awareness and adoption of  vehicle safety technologies; and the absence of an integrated approach to road safety, to include the critical elements of engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency response. 

“As an automotive leader and mobility advocate, Volvo Philippines is committed to driving change beyond vehicles,” explains HARI Vice Chairman, President, and CEO Maria Fe Perez Agudo. “We witness unfortunate situations, casualties, and fatalities due to road accidents  almost every day, on the road and on our media channels. We at HARI step up to do something about it, aware that this issue runs deeper than we think. Establishing an ecosystem of safety in our country calls for a sustained multi-sector dialogue among government agencies, industry leaders, the academe, and civil society to inspire shared responsibility and integrated solutions to road safety in the Philippines.” 

The Road Ahead: Volvo’s Commitment to Safety Leadership

Another highlight of the first Voice of Volvo forum is the launch of the Volvo Urban Living Mobility Safety Laboratory, or simply the Volvo Safety Lab, Volvo Philippines’ pioneering collaboration with De La Salle University, envisioned to harness the university’s brilliant minds to pilot innovative safety interventions in real-world communities. 

With the support of key stakeholders, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), and mobility policy advocates, Volvo Philippines is driving a unified effort to bridge public and private sector initiatives.  

By championing a culture of safety, Volvo continues to lead the charge, not only through pioneering vehicle technologies designed to prevent accidents but also by fostering deeper collaboration among stakeholders to integrate road safety into national and community frameworks. 

Through the Voice of Volvo, Volvo Philippines sets a new standard in safety advocacy. By creating a platform for critical discussions, policy alignment, and actionable solutions, this initiative aims to reshape the country’s approach to road safety and ensure safer mobility for  generations to come.

For more information on Volvo’s road safety advocacy and upcoming events, visit Volvo Philippines or follow their official channels.