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”
May 30, 2025, Volvo Philippines, Makati - 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
