DTI, LTO admit lack of prescribed helmets

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  – Transportation and trade officials here in Negros Oriental on Wednesday admitted that, as of current inventory, there is a perceived lack of supply in the market of prescribed standard helmets.

Officials of the Department of Trade and Industry in Negros Oriental and the chief of the Land Transportation Office-Dumaguete district office appealed to the motorcycle-riding public not to wait until the last hour to purchase the prescribed standard head gear with the impending full implementation of the mandatory helmet law under Republic Act 10054.

DTI provincial director Javier Fortunato, Jr. said the public must begin acquiring their crash helmets to avoid the rush as the targeted date for implementation of the mandatory use of helmets by motorcycle drivers and backriders draws nearer.

LTO-Dumaguete chief Roland Ramos reiterated that under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 10054, the full implementation of the law ought to be in July 28, but because the date falls on a Saturday, this will be moved to August 1 (Monday).

The DTI initially met this week with various dealers and suppliers of helmets in the city and, as of last count, it was learned there were only about 1,300 of these that have passed the prescribed standard, according to DTI’s Angeline Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said the DTI has also drawn up a list of stores and outlets that have or can offer motorcycle helmets that have the PS or ICC marks as required by law.

Ramos warned that lack of supply of prescribed standard helmets in Dumaguete City during the implementation of the law shall not be an acceptable excuse for anybody penalized during roadside inspection.

Latest count shows an estimated 20,000 motorcycles are plying the streets of Dumaguete, with about 17,000 of these being duly registered with the LTO-Dumaguete, Ramos said.

In Ramos’ general area of operation, which includes towns and cities outside of Dumaguete, there are an estimated 27,000 motorcycle units. “Granting that only 20 percent of motorcycle owners of the total do not own helmets, at least 4,000 of these protective head gears are required to meet the demand,” he said.

The DTI and LTO officials, however, announced that suppliers have assured to be able to meet the requirements in the coming days, as the need arises. Retailers can produce more helmets within just a week, Fortunato said.

Fortunato said sellers of helmets seemed to be cautious in pumping up their inventory, fearful of a losing proposition. The full implementation of RA 10054 is inevitable and therefore this early the motorcycle riding public in Negros Oriental must start buying helmets before it’s too late, he added.

Ramos said that, except for a court intervention, nothing can stop the LTO from enforcing the law by August 1st.

City officials had earlier gone to court to file for a temporary restraining order and other legal remedies to prevent the implementation of the helmet law here, contending that it was impractical. But, until today, the court has yet to act on the complaint.

Meanwhile, the DTI is calling on the public to visit their office and have their helmets inspected, particularly those that were bought prior to the crafting of the law. Forms are available for the granting of an ICC and visor sticker for those that would pass the prescribed standard helmet, Gonzalez added. (FREEMAN)