Rally against Helmet Law set

CEBU, Philippines - A protest rally in Metro Cebu against the implementation of the motorcycle helmet law is set on August 1, the day the law is set to be implemented.

Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr. of the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy will lead the rally that will start from the South Reclamation Project at 8:00 in the morning.

Alcover is expecting a huge crowd as he calls on motorcycle riders to join in the protest.

The caravan of motorcycle riders will proceed to the regional offices of the Department of Trade and Industry then to the Land Transportation Office in Cebu City and the culmination is at Fuente Osmeña circle.

“We are for helmet law, pabor ko niana pero kanang implementation mura’g discrimination,” Alcover told The FREEMAN.

Alcover pointed out that helmets will not be recognized if these are not brought from the accredited manufacturers. It is anti-poor when old helmets can no longer be used if these are not with the standard set by the DTI, he added.

Alcover cited that after buying milk product, it is no longer brought to the Bureau of Foods and Drugs to find out if this is fit for consumption.

Alcover called on the DTI to put up checkpoints where motorists usually pass through to do the inspection of helmets rather than the riders to queue in a long line in their office.

He said that it is just an added burden to the motorists even if DTI already waived the payment. 

The DTI said it is waiving the collection of P1.25 ICC sticker fee and P100 processing fee for inspection of standard motorcycle helmets takes effect until September 30, 2012.

—(FREEMAN)