Northern Mindanao intensifies helmet use

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Northern Mindanao has intensified enforcement of the mandatory use of helmets by motorcycle drivers and their passengers to ensure safety and prevent deaths during road accidents.

The strict implementation of the wearing of helmets is in line with Republic Act (RA) 10054, which aims to save the life of motorcyle drivers and their passengers as well as of pedestrians, according to Ferdinand Flores of the LTO regional transportation regulation office.

“The law states that this is mandatory and motorists must abide by it at all times when traveling,” Flores said.

He made the statement after some local government units (LGUs) passed ordinances banning the use of helmets in their jurisdictions.

LGUs cited their autonomy as provided under the Local Government Code in passing the ordinance

“The usual contention of the LGUs in pursuing this type of ordinance is crime prevention as police are having a hard time identifying motorcycle-riding criminals whose faces are covered with helmets,” Flores said.

He said that although he respects and agrees with the police’s assessment that the wearing of helmets has contributed to the increasing number of unsolved crimes, Flores said the local ordinances are contrary to RA 10054, which was enacted by Congress in 2009.

Flores said that in deference to LGUs’ autonomy, the validity of these ordinances remains unchallenged.

He said other LGUs have imposed a no helmet, no travel policy.