Tagbilaran readies raps to stop helmet law implementation

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – While the DTI is very busy campaigning for the registration of helmet without ICC mark at its offices region-wide, the city government is contemplating to file charges in court to stop the implementation of Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Law.

City Mayor Dan Neri Lim bared this during his radio program yesterday over DyTR, saying he is now consulting his lawyers to take court action against the law implementation.

The mayor’s action came in the wake of mounting public objections that made the DTI the whipping agency since it conducted the registration of helmets that do not meet the standard, particularly those without the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker.

Helmet users of motorcycles said they have been burdened much on the additional expense of the P100 per sticker. The LTO, together with other agencies concerned, will be enforcing the helmet law starting next month by apprehending those using helmets without the ICC sticker.

DTI-7 regional director Aster Caberte reportedly quoted LTO-7 director Raul Aguilos that starting August 2012 LTO will apprehend and “advice” motorists, whose helmets are not registered yet, to secure the needed ICC sticker from the nearest DTI office. It will serve as first warning, she said.

Caberte told the media in a conference that helmet users should not blame DTI because it is just fairly implementing the provisions of the law. She added that she will act on the mounting call to lift the ICC sticker requirement, promising to raise the matter to her superiors.

DTI also acted and will continue to do so in the monitoring and apprehending helmet dealers selling helmets without the ICC mark on it. The agency has already apprehended at least three dealers in this city, said Caberte without identifying them. - THE FREEMAN