CITOM won't help enforce helmet law

CEBU, Philippines - The members of the City Traffic Operations Management will not help in implementing the new helmet law that requires motorcycle drivers to use only crash helmets approved by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, chairman of the traffic policy-making body in Cebu City, said it was decided during their board meeting last week that they will not encourage the traffic enforcers to enforce the helmet law in the city.

“We are too busy managing traffic and it will be a waste of time and energy since we remain to be undermanned,” said Jakosalem, who used to be a city councilor before he was designated as CITOM chairman.

Some observers believe the helmet law may not be effectively enforced if only the Land Transportation Office goes after motorcycle drivers and riders not wearing the prescribed helmets.

There are only about 15 organic LTO personnel assigned to law enforcement duties, although they are assisted by some 100 volunteers who are members of the Task Force Alpha.

But TFA members only operate thrice a week for two hours in every operation.

However, CITOM executive officer Rafael Christopher Yap explained that their traffic enforcers, who are deputized by the LTO, will continue to assist in enforcing the traffic-related laws, including Republic Act 10054.

RA 10054, otherwise known as An Act Mandating All Motorcycle Riders to Wear Standard Protective Motorcycle Helmets While Driving and Providing Penalties. Therefore, shall be implemented starting August 1.

Jakosalem said several members of the CITOM Board described the provisions of Republic Act 10054 as unfair because some helmets recommended in developed countries brought to DTI were not even subjected to testing because their brand is not in the approved list.

Helmets found to be standard are issued an Import Commodity Clearance or Product Standard sticker.

Those found using helmets without the sticker will be fined P1,500 for the first violation and higher fines for succeeding violations.

LTO-7 Regional Director Raul Aguilos said RA 10054 aims to provide safety measures to the motorcycle riders through mandatory enforcement of the use of standard protective motorcycle helmets.

But Aguilos said the LTO will still allow motorcycle riders to use their old helmets if these are full-face or half-face helmets that cover the ears of the person wearing it.

DTI-7 regional director Aster Caberte said nobody is allowed to manufacture the ICC and PS stickers. The stickers are said to be tamper-proof because these have a hologram.

While the ICC sticker itself is only P1.25 the processing fee is P100.

Old helmets can be provided with stickers, but the DTI personnel will check if the shield of the helmet has no crack and if the belt lock still works.

It is also important that the helmet visor will not reflect lights similar to the color of the traffic lights and that the driver can still hear the sounds around him even with the helmet on.

It was learned that so far the DTI had already certified more than 40 brands of helmets that meet their standards.  (FREEMAN)