CITY OF MALOLOS — More than 100 bus drivers from Luzon were given free eye care services by NLEX Corporation under its, “See Clearly, Drive Safely” eye care program.

The toll company partnered with Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Cardinal Medical Charities Foundation Inc., and Executive Optical to provide free consultation, visual accuracy examination, refraction test, and eye disease screening to member-drivers from the Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Nangagasiwa ng Panlalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas Inc. (NSNPBPI).

The “See Clearly, Drive Safely” program aims to promote safe driving in NLEX, SCTEX and NLEX Connector by instilling the importance of good eyesight to drivers when on the road.

“The program shows our commitment in making roads safe for everyone because good eyesight is critical to safe driving. By fostering good eye care, we will be able to protect the lives of the drivers and motorists as better vision guarantees safer travel,” NLEX Corporation president J. Luigi Bautista said.

Bautista explained that clear vision is essential for driving. If the drivers’ vision is unreliable, they cannot judge distance, identify road hazards, read traffic signs, and spot trouble while on the road, which may potentially increase the risk of accidents and endanger people’s lives.

In addition to free eye consultation, the NSNPBPI bus drivers were also provided free eye drops, reading and prescription glasses during the two-day event.

Meanwhile, drivers who need to undergo cataract surgery may avail for treatment and operation for free by the volunteer doctors of Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

NSNPBPI executive director Alex Yague extended the group’s appreciation for the program.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa NLEX at Cardinal Santos Medical Center sa isinagawa nilang eye care clinic na makakatulong sa ating mga driver. Sana po ay continuous ang pagkakaroon ng ganitong programa,” he said.

Yague acknowledged the importance of promoting good eyesight and encouraged other members to participate in the program for their safety and that of other motorists.

Started in 2017, the program has served more than 750 transport drivers from the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines (PBOAP), NSNPBPI, and NLEX-SCTEX host communities.

For years, NLEX has been at the forefront of advocating road safety as a shared responsibility between the company and its various stakeholders. Aside from continuously building and enhancing its roads infrastructures and safety features, the tollway company is also committed in promoting safe and responsible driving through various road safety awareness seminar for transport organizations, host communities, and the general public. These include the Kaligtasan sa Daan (KalSaDa) and Usapang Driver programs.

NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of theMetro PacificTollways Corporation, the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.

Photo: NLEX