Strict helmet policy to start in 2 months

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office will be strictly implementing the “no helmet, no driving” policy for motorcyclists two months from now.

LTO-7 director Raul Aguilos said that a joint administrative order issued by the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Department of Trade and Industry has already been released which serves as the implementing rules and regulations of the Republic Act 10054 or the “Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009.”

Although the law took effect in January 30 yet, strict implementation was not immediately done because of the information campaign that has to be done to inform the public. Aguilos said that after the information drive, implementation will commence on July 30.

Aguilos said that the law provides a fine of P1,500 for the first offense. The penalty for the second offense will be P3,000 and P5,000 for the third. For succeeding offenses, the fines will go up as high as P10, 000. The driver’s license will also be confiscated or suspended in all instances.

The act also covers the backriders but excludes tricycle drivers.

The same penalties will also be imposed to those wearing a substandard helmet or helmets not approved by the DTI’s Bureau of Product Standards.

According to Engr. Mario Gaudiano, DTI-BPS will issue unique stickers to helmets made after January 30 when RA 10054 took effect. Markings of Philippine Standard Certification, for locally made helmets, or the Import Commodity Clearance, for foreign products, will have a serial number unique in each helmet unit.

Asked if the helmets bought before the effectivity of the law will be considered, Gaudiano advised the public to go to DTI for issuance of the stickers. —(FREEMAN)