No kids below 10 on motorbikes: Police get serious on helmets

CEBU, Philippines – This time it will be for real - the police will strictly implement Republic Act 10054 better known as the Helmet Law.

Aside from requiring those riding a motorcycle to wear a crash helmet, children below ten years old will not also be allowed to ride motorcycles.

Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said that in three days they will be going all out in implementing a directive from the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police.

This move of the PNP is seen to both draw praises and flak from the people.

For Melanie Colot, a 28-year-old mother, she welcomes the effort of the police as she would not risk the lives of her children by making them take the motorcycle to school, which is a much cheaper alternative to taking the jeepney.

"Para nako okay jud ko ana na dili i-allow pasakyon ang mga bata below 10 years old kay although, bisag ikaw drayber ka bisan galikay pa ka, di man gud ka kasiguro na ang nagsunod nimo nag-drive safely. So, mas maayo jud na nga dili i-allow," she said.

"Bisan pa og naay protective gears ang bata. Para nako as a mother, dili jud ko uyon ana. Kung ato man gud nang hunahunaon, nganong i-risk man nato ang kinabuhi sa atong anak, wherein murag naa pa man siguro safest way aside ana. Kung gusto ka'ng mas makatipid, nganong itipid man nimo ang budget kaysa life jud na importante," she added.

The directive, which came from the Directorate for Operations of the PNP, states that whether the kids are wearing helmet or not, their accompanying adults would be apprehended and charged.

This move of the PNP came after a provincial prosecutor in Cavite wrote to the PNP that driving the motorcycles with kids as their passengers can be considered as violation of the Child Protection Law or RA 7610.

Fiscal Emmanuel Velasco said that this put the children in danger and that the PNP has always been swayed by the statements of the parents that this is a far cheaper means of transportation they could purchase to send their kids to and from the school compared to four-wheel vehicles.

Velasco said the parents do not see the greater risk posed by letting their kids ride on a motorcycle.

"Poverty on the part of the motorcycle owner should not be a reason for lawmen to look the other way around. Parents should not expose their children to such great risk if they really love them," the prosecutor said in his letter to former PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa.

Buenafe said they will really implement this on Thursday as it has also observed that there are motorists, who drive fast without considering the kids on board their bikes.

With this, the Traffic Group, all police stations and special units, including beat patrols, are ordered to implement the law, in tandem with the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM).

The CCPO Director admitted, though, that there really are times that the police consider the public's request.

"Usahay ba mo-bend ta gamay ana kay nakahibalo man ta nga mao ra'y ma-afford nga transportation, pero higpitan na g'yud nato karon," he said.

Buenafe said that starting today until midnight Wednesday, they will only be calling the attention of the violators. The police will start apprehending the violators on Thursday.

Butch Parnes, 44, a digital consultant and resident of Basak-Pardo, also said it is not advisable to have kids ride on a motorcycle.

"Dili angay kay ang accident dili man gud nimo matag-an, bisan pa naka-helmet dili ko uyon. Number one, ang motor prone accident labi na karon nga busy na kaayo ang dalan, daghan na kaayong sakyanan ba then naa sad uban nga mga drayber na mga reckless kaayo labi na kaning mga jeep ug taxi. Dili gyud angay," Panes said.

Buenafe said RA 10054 is nothing new, but they will just be stricter this time following the directive of the PNP Chief. They have also observed that there are many motorists who are not wearing helmets, or if so, only if they are confronted by authorities.

Yoly Teopiz, 38, a photo shop owner, said that he makes sure to always wear his helmet when he drives his motorcycle.

"Sigurado naa ju'y helmet kay mao man jud na'y gi-kuan sa LTO (Land Transportation Office), mao man jud na'y gi-impose nila na 'no helmet, no riding motor," he said, saying he was still not apprehended by authorities for violating RA 10054.

Last April, then President Gloria Arroyo signed the Mandatory Helmet Act of 2010 that requires all motorcycle drivers and their passengers to wear helmets at all times and imposes stiff penalties on violators.

Republic Act 10054, authored by Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., is aimed at protecting motorcycle drivers, back-riders as well as pedestrians from injuries and death in acci-dents.

Under the law, those who will be caught not wearing protective helmets face a minimum fine of P1,500 and a maximum penalty of P10,000. -/NLQ (FREEMAN)