“Negros Oriental will not be exempted from the provisions of the national law.” This is what Land Transportation Office7 Regional Director Raul Aguilos said about the implementation of Republic Act 10054 or the helmet law in Negros Oriental come July 30.
Aguilos spoke in a forum at Silliman University, where he warned that law will be implemented without exception. “I want the public to understand the importance and relevance of the law,” he said.
He said that motorcycle drivers should wear the standard helmet while driving to avoid physical harm in the event of an accident.
Out of 100 regular accidents that occur every day, 60 percent are caused by motorcycle accidents; the reason why this law is passed and enacted to protect and to secure the safety of all the riders and drivers of motorcycles, Aguilos said. “Death could have been prevented if the drivers and riders used the standard protective helmet,” he added.
Mario Gaudiano, Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade & Industry, showed in his presentation what kind of helmets must be used. There are three types of helmet: the full face, half face, and open face. “A protective helmet should have a hard outer shell –not just plastic,” he added.
A standard helmet must bear the Philippine Standard (PS) mark or Impost Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker which complies with the standards set by the BSP. Gaudiano also said that those who have helmets already can avail of the PS mark or ICC sticker by securing a clearance from the BPS or the nearest DTI office.
Anyone who is caught not wearing the standard helmet will be fined P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 for second offense, P 5,000 for third offense, and P10,000 for the succeeding offense plus the confiscation and suspension of license. The fine for not wearing of helmet is equivalent to those who are not wearing the standard helmet.
Persons who are caught selling helmets without the PS mark or ICC sticker will also be fined P3,000-P5,000 and anyone who are caught tampering, altering, forging, and imitating the PS mark and ICC stickers will be fined P 10,000-P20, 000. (Angeline Nabua and Donita Bemido/SU Masscom interns)
