Camotes now a ‘discipline zone’

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) has recently declared the whole island of Camotes in northern Cebu as a discipline zone.

Police Colonel Roderick Mariano, CPPO director, said motorcycle drivers and back riders are now compliant with Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 when the island “paradise” became a discipline zone.

He said motorists are already wearing standard motorcycle helmets as observed during the simultaneous conduct of road clearing operations, which are in consonance with the order of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

“Prior to the launching of the zone, the motorists there (Camotes) are non-compliant with the helmet law,” he said.

A discipline zone, a pet program of the Philippine National Police, is a place where national laws and local ordinances are strictly implemented and enforced to promote discipline and ensure adherence to the laws.

Among the prohibited acts within the zone are painting graffiti, selling illegal drugs, giving of alms (mendicancy), wearing slippers or sandals while driving a motorcycle, throwing rubbish anywhere, smoking and drinking in public places, and wandering outside homes during the wee hours of the night or early dawn, among others.

Moreover, Mariano said those driving without a license and using an unregistered vehicle and had no certificate of registration will be arrested or issued with traffic citation tickets.

He said the motorcycle owners and other vehicle owners were already given the chance to acquire proper documents to avoid inconvenience and arrest.

“The honeymoon period is over. We are now strictly implementing the laws and everyone is expected to abide by them,” he said.

Also, Mariano has called on the local government units to help police implement and monitor the helmet law and other laws.

“So far, everybody is cooperating in the implementation of the discipline zone program,” he said.  KQD (FREEMAN)