LTO-Dumaguete chief vows implementation of helmet law

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – Newly-designated chief of the Land Transportation Office-Dumaguete District Office, Eugene Gador, has promised to fully implement the law that requiring motorcycle riders to wear standard protective helmets.

Gador admitted that, in the past few weeks, his office was unable to strictly enforce the helmet law due to the lack of deputized agents following the expiration of their deputation orders, which are renewable every year.

During his message at the opening of the 3-day seminar/refresher course on traffic law enforcement and the helmet law in Bais City, Negros Oriental, Gador acknowledged the lack of deputized agents as one of LTO’s pressing problems.

The LTO has come under harsh criticism lately, specifically in Dumaguete, dubbed “the motorcycle capital of the Philippines,” for the perceived flip-flopping of the agency in carrying out this particular law.

Those for or against the mandatory helmet law are complaining of what they perceive as the LTO’s “indecision” on the issue. Many who have already purchased helmets are saying it was unfair for them to have spent money on the head gear, while many others still continue to defy the law by riding on their motorcycles without helmets.

Gador appealed to the motorists to acquire and wear their helmets and cooperate with authorities. He said the LTO is just the implementing arm of the law and “we have to follow it.”

So far, no politician has approached him or attempted to ask him to defer the enforcement of the mandatory helmet law, but if anyone did, he would say there is no way to further delay or stop the implementation of such, he said.

At least 99 participants from the Philippine National Police, the Highway Patrol Group, and the Traffic Management Offices of some local governments are currently attending the three-day seminar/refresher course prior to their evaluation and approval of their deputation orders.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry in Negros Oriental has now shifted its focus on monitoring manufacturers, importers and retailers that are distributing and selling motorcycle helmets to ensure that they pass the standard prescribed by law.

The DTI, headed by provincial chief Javier Fortunato, Jr., said that after the motorcycle helmet inspection and sticker marking activities ended last December, they are now making sure that these items being sold in the market have a valid PS or ICC mark. —(FREEMAN)