by: Rodrigo S. Victoria
NAVAL, Biliran – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Biliran province are continuously conducting information dissemination campaign to the public on the salient features of the Helmet Law.
Engr. Jorge D. Modesto, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI-Biliran and Grace M. Carsido, Provincial Director of LTO in Biliran province, who were guests to the Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan, a one-hour radio program of PIA-Biliran over Radyo Natin-Naval on Thursday July 26 discussed important provisions of Republic Act (RA) 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Law of 2009.
Modesto informed the public especially the motorists of the recent issuance regarding the implementation of the helmet law particularly on the standard protective motorcycle helmet that must be used by the motorists.
He said, DTI has been tasked to determine if the motorcycle protective helmet used by motorists pass the standards set by the DTI.
“There were already two motorists who submitted their motorcycle protective helmets to DTI-Biliran for verification if their helmets met the standards” Modesto said.
DTI-Biliran has already started the verification process of motorcycle standard protective helmets.
Furthermore, Engr. Modesto informed that when they visit DTI-Biliran for helmet verification, motorists are required to bring one valid Identification (ID) Card as this is a requirement before the International Clearance Certificate (ICC) mark or the Philippine Standard (PS) mark is pasted on the helmet to certify that such helmet has met DTI standards.
For her part, Carsido informed the public that R.A. 10054 was enacted in July 2009 yet but the motorists seem to have just ignored the law which provides safety as well as prevent loss of lives of motorists.
She said that the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), mother agency of LTO, together with DTI and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) are tasked to conduct six months information dissemination campaign to raise public awareness regarding the Helmet Law.
Ms. Carsido emphasized that penalties are provided under the law for violations like the non-wearing of helmet which ranges from P1,500 for the first offense to P10,000 and forfeiture of the driver’s license in the 4th offense.
She also reminded the motorists to always wear a standard protective helmet every time they go out in the streets including the back riders as provided by law.
Further, she informed public that LTO will strictly enforce the Helmet Law starting January 2013 as mandated by the DOTC-DTI joint memorandum. (PIA Biliran)
