Useless law

We received a text message from CITOM Chairman Sylvan ‘Jack’ Jakosalem last Sunday informing us that they would not be taking part in the implementation of Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act.

Jakosalem said that the role of CITOM is to manage the flow of traffic and it will be a waste of time and energy since they are undermanned and he added that he thinks this is a useless law.

There is so much discussion now as to how motorcycle owners can get the stickers for their helmets, which will be issued by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Personally, we believe this is a good law, but the implementation seems to be very crude.

The DTI should exert more effort in going after those who are selling substandard helmets and those, who are obviously using “helmets” that do not pass the grade will only be the ones stopped at checkpoints.

What is more urgent is to address the penchant of motorcycle drivers to weave in and out of traffic, which has already caused so many accidents, and those who go against the flow of traffic.

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The traffic situation in Mandaue particularly the short stretch of the highway from corner Maguikay to the corner heading to the Marcelo Fernan Bridge has been the subject of many complaints of motorists.

We wonder what the traffic officials of Mandaue are doing to improve the situation as we continue to hear of traffic horror stories from readers and read their posts on social media networks.

We Cebuanos are very proud of the development of the entire island, but our leaders seem to have slackened on certain issues.

What we always tell people from Manila is that life here is easier, but if we will not do anything about the traffic problem we will be just like Manila.

We must also bear in mind that we cannot trust our leaders to take action alone, we motorists must also do our share.

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Gasoline stations should not slacken with regards to the implementation of the no smoking policy in their premise.

At around 4:15 last Sunday afternoon, we called the attention of a pump attendant at the Shell Station along the South Coastal Road in Talisay City as a man lit up and smoked outside their convenience store.

The attendant told us that they do not have a guard at that time to call the attention of that man about his violation.

Of course, the problem starts with the fact that gas stations sell cigarettes, which makes people think it is all right to smoke.

We hope that the fuel companies will do something about this matter.

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