Vice Mayor Bucao wants DTI to deputize Talisay traffic staff

CEBU, Philippines - With less than a week before the full implementation of the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2010, Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao wants the city traffic personnel placed under the supervision of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in order to speed up the process of acquiring stickers. 

Bucao, who chairs the City of Talisay Traffic Operations and Development Authority (CT-TODA), said instead of DTI doing the job alone, the agency should coordinate with local government units in the registration of helmets in their areas.

“The City of Talisay Traffic Operations and Development Authority, through this representation, wishes to be deputized under the supervision of DTI in order to help and decongest your office in inspecting helmets of the motorcycle riding public,” Bucao said in his letter addressed to DTI Provincial Director Nelia Navarro. 

DTI is the main enforcer in putting stickers on helmets that pass the standards set by the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009. The city of Talisay has more than 10,000 motorcycle riders. 

After the prescribed six months (January- July 2012) information campaign, starting next month, the DTI and LTO is to strictly implement the provisions of the RA 10054. 

One of the standard provisions is that the helmet must be full- faced concealing the whole head, which is being opposed by law enforcers as some unscrupulous individuals commit crimes using the full-face helmet to conceal their identities.

Under the helmet law, motorists are required to wear either a half-face helmet with a clear visor or a full-face helmet with a clear visor. 

Motorcycle riders who fail to wear the prescribed helmet will be penalized P1,500 for the first offense and P3,000 for the second offense. Those found wearing sub-standard helmets also face a P3,000 fine. 

Enforcers will look for the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker which DTI affixes at the back of helmets that passed their inspection. 

DTI has urged motorcycle owners with helmets that do not yet have an ICC mark to bring their head gear to the DTI office, along with a photocopy of their driver’s license.  - THE FREEMAN