Today marks exactly 461 days to the local elections scheduled on May 13, 2013, which brings to mind a Thomas Jefferson quote: “A politician looks forward to the next election, a statesman looks forward to the next generation.”
Judging from actuations and posturing of local government officials, the politicians are beginning to emerge and show what they are looking forward to.
Take the case of the implementation of R.A. No. 10054, otherwise known as the “Motorcycle Helmet Act” which was signed into law in March 23, 2010. Under this new law, “All motorcycle riders, including drivers and back riders, are required to wear standard protective motorcycle helmets at all times while driving, whether long or short drives, in any type of road and highway… Any person caught not wearing the standard protective motorcycle helmet will be punished with a fine of P1,500.00 for the first offense, P3,000.00 for the second offense, P5,000.00 for the third offense, and P10,000 plus confiscation of the driver’s license for the fourth and succeeding offenses.“
It is interesting to note how our local officials of Negros Oriental and Dumaguete City, the “Motorcycle Capital of the Philippines,” treat this law enacted, as all laws are meant to be, “to promote and protect the general welfare.” “Welfare” means health, happiness, prosperity or well-being. (From: the internet).
In the midst of reports by the PNP of an increasing incidents of motorcycle accidents (209 in January 2012 compared to 106 cases last year) and DOH Undersecretary who said in a forum on road safety for motorcycle riders that “mortality rate from motorcycle accidents, the kind of traffic mishap that most often results in death, is becoming alarming,” the local Freeman (Jan 27, 2012) reports that: “The City Council last Wednesday assured constituents that they would find legal remedies to stop the impending nationwide implementation of Republic Act 10054 or the Mandatory Helmet Act, due to take effect sometime in the middle of this year…(the City Council members) were divided and (have) different interpretations of the controversial law that majority of the motorcycle-riding public in the City have strongly opposed…Some councilors were for the use of motorcycle helmets by drivers and their riders for protection and safety reasons, while others were against it…Many of the concerns raised by the public during the hearing focused on the “impracticality” of the law, noting that city streets were narrow and speed limits were much lower than in highly urbanized areas. Besides, there was the socio-economic impact on families considering the cost of standard protective helmets ranging from P700 to P5,000.”
The logic of those who oppose the law is that it is “practical” to go ahead and drive around without a helmet and risk life and limb, cost of hospitalization in case of accidents, and pay for funeral expenses in case of death–all this deemed more socio-economically acceptable than paying for a helmet costing P700 to P5,000 for violating the law. Interesting logic.
In the editorial of the MetroPost last Jan 29, entitled “Doing the Right Thing,” I quote the following: “The helmet law was passed in order to protect motorists. Head injuries from accidents of helmet-less motorcyclists claim many lives every year. If these motorists eventually don’t get killed, they may end up in the Intensive Care Unit, and relatives who are burdened by the cost of hospitalization ask for financial assistance from the same government which bended the law requiring the use of helmets… So who is kidding whom?“… If voters don’t want to use helmets, then that will be the law… The challenge is not to look for exceptions to the rule, but to implement the law without fear or favor… Leaders, after all, are supposed to do the right thing–they lead, not follow.”
Yes, indeed, the 2013 election countdown has started. And our local government officials of Negros Oriental and Dumaguete City appear to be looking forward to it.
