Citom asks DOTC: Defer Helmet Law

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) is asking the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to suspend the implementation of the new Helmet Law on August 1.

CITOM chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said the 15 members of Cebu City’s traffic policy making body unanimously agreed to request DOTC Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas to defer the implementation of the law due to strong objection from the public, including government officials.

CITOM will also give a copy of its resolution to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory L. Domingo, whose agency has been tasked to screen and approve qualified crash helmets.

Jakosalem said CITOM has received valid concerns from the public about the provisions of Republic Act 10054.

The CITOM Board questioned the required fee of P101.25 for the registration of helmets and for the sticker to be placed on approved helmets.

Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella will also ask his fellow city legislators during their session today to request DOTC and DTI to defer the implementation of the helmet law.

Jakosalem said the collection of P101.25 fee is questionable considering that most of those who are using motorcycles as their main mode of transportation belong to the low to mid-income earners.

It also takes hours to apply for helmet stickers.

He added that owners or drivers of most motorcycles who have purchased helmets prior to the effectivity of the law are unfairly treated because the law is made applicable to them despite the fact that they have already purchased these helmets before the law took effect.

Jakosalem further said that there is still confusion on what is an approved “standard” helmet, whether full-faced or not, and other allowed or disallowed specifications.

DTI officials have announced that out of some 321,560 motorcycles registered in Central Visayas, only around 7,000 “PS” (Product Standard) and “ICC” (Import Commodity Clearance ) stickers have been disposed by their office.

This means that most of the motorcycle owners can be apprehended if the government will strictly implement the law by August 1.

LTO-7 regional director Raul Aguilos also said when LTO starts enforcing the new helmet law, those motorcycle riders whose violation is their failure to secure the prescribed stickers will not be apprehended. They will just be asked to get a sticker from DTI.

However, if a motorcycle rider is caught wearing an unprescribed helmet, he will be apprehended and will be fined P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense and P5,000 in the third offense.

The fourth offense already carries P10,000 fine and revocation of the driver’s license.

Apprehensions of erring drivers are recorded on-line by the LTO. —  (FREEMAN)