Citom: Helmet law deferment a "temporary victory"

CEBU, Philippines - Motorcycle drivers may now heave a sigh of relief especially those who have not yet secured Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers from the Department of Trade and Industry because they now have until the end of the year to secure it.

 This as Department of Transportation and Communications ordered the Land Transportation Office that starting August 1 to December 31, 2012, traffic enforcers are to issue reminders only to motorcycle drivers regarding the Helmet Law.

 LTO was also ordered to conduct aggressive public information and education campaign on the issue.

 “But we will still apprehend those not wearing helmets and those wearing inappropriate and fully dilapidated helmets,” LTO-7 regional director Raul Aguilos said.

 In the same order, LTO is directed to merely issue reminders to motorcycle drivers within the period, as the issuance of citation tickets and the imposition of penalties for motorcycle drivers caught driving with the protective helmets with the ICC sticker shall commence on January 1, 2013.

 The deferment of the original August 1 deadline for motorcycle drivers to wear the prescribed headgear with ICC stickers was in line with the request of DTI to be allowed to complete their inspection and putting of stickers on helmets nationwide.

 DTI-Cebu Provincial Office provincial director Nelia Navarro said that as of Friday, more or less 10,000 motorcycle drivers have secured ICC stickers at their office.

 Jack Jakosalem, Cebu Integrated Traffic Operations Management board chairman said that the deferment of the full implementation is just a temporary victory as they are still looking at future problems after January 1, 2013.

 “Even with the deferment, CITOM still will not participate in the implementation of the Helmet Law and will only implement our own helmet ordinance since we believe that it is sufficient,” Jakosalem said.

 ANAD Partylist Rep. Pastor “Jun” Alcover said that even with the deferment of the full implementation, they will still proceed with their earlier planned protest rally on August 1.

 “We are not against the law. Even if deferred, we will continue our scheduled protest against unfair Implementing Rules and Regulations and oppressive penalties,” Alcover said.

 Under the existing law, those caught driving without helmets shall suffer the penalty of P1,500 for the first offense; P3,000 for the second offense; P5,000 (third offense) and P10,000 for the fourth offense plus the confiscation of helmets.

 Helmet inspections are conducted from Monday to Friday at the DTI-CPO from 8:00am to 12:00 noon and they can only accommodate 250 motorcycle riders per day.

 Under the law, motorcycle drivers and their passengers are now strictly required to wear the standard protective gear which the DTI said should bear the ICC or the PS (Philippine Standards) mark.  (FREEMAN)