HELMET LAW NEEDS NO REVISION TO UPHOLD CHILD PROTECTION

Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. today said that there is no need to amend the recently- passed Mandatory Helmet Law to promote child protection as he pushed anew another bill to ban children from riding motorcycles.

Though the senator welcomed the growing clamor for the expansion of the Republic Act 10054 or the Mandatory Helmet Law to address the life-threatening malpractice of allowing children to ride on motorcycles, he explained that a corresponding bill had already been filed in the Senate. "I refiled my bill that would prohibit the riding of children seven years old and below on motorcycles. This is consistent with our advocacy to provide safety measures to all riders and passengers and avoid injury or fatality especially for children on motorcycles," Bong Revilla said.

Based on news reports, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is pushing for the expansion of the Mandatory Helmet Law to include the total banning of children, aged 10 years and below, from riding motorcycles even with protective gears or with adults. In a letter to PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa, Cavite Chief Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said allowing children to board motorcycles was "a clear case of child abuse since this is a circumstance which gravely threatens or endangers the survival and normal development of children.

In reaction to this, the lawmaker said revisions can be made regarding the age bracket of the children that would be banned from riding motorcycles and the type of roads that will be covered by the legislative measure. "It depends upon the outcome of the public hearings that will be conducted. But right now, what is important is the awareness on the risk of children riding on motorcycles is increasing. We must also consider that fact that many of our countrymen, particularly those belonging to low- and medium-income families use motorcycles as a family vehicle, often to fetch children from school."

Under Senate Bill no. 21, it would be unlawful for any person to transport a child seven years old and below on motorcycles along national highways or highways. Exception may be made in provinces wherein there is no considerable vehicular traffic and where motorcycles are the only means of transportation. Violators shall face a fine ranging from Three Thousand Pesos to Ten Thousand Pesos. "Children lack the physical development to pay attention and properly secure themselves while riding," the senator pointed out.

Meanwhile, the senator urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to finally release the long-awaited Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) of the Mandatory Helmet Law so that the said measure will be finally implemented. "We cannot implement the law without the IRRs. The delay in the release of the IRRs is tantamount to the rise in motorcycle related injuries," he added.