MANDATORY HELMET BILL A STEP CLOSER TO PASSAGE

Senator Bong Revilla expressed optimism that his Mandatory Helmet Bill will be passed as earlier as expected based on the positive response of the Senate committee where the proposed measure was referred.

In his speech during the 3rd Mariveles Motorcycle Safety Campaign Seminar held today (September 7, Sunday) at the Mariveles Sports Complex, Mariveles, Bataan , Revilla disclosed that the Senate Committee on Public Services recommended the separation of Mandatory Helmet Bill from a comprehensive road safety code.

The senator explained that his Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1863 or the Mandatory Helmet Bill was initially considered to be a part of a broad road safety code but the Senate Committee on Public Services decided to make it as a separate measure. "Because of the mounting support it has been gaining and the recognized urgent need to address the rising number of motorcycle accidents in the country, the Mandatory Helmet Bill is a step closer to enactment," Revilla said.

Revilla also bared that among other bills filed in the Senate regarding the wearing of helmet, his SBN1863 was chosen as the main bill of the consolidated bill that the said committee formulated.

Under SBN 1863, all motorcycle riders, the driver and the back rider, must wear standard quality helmets while driving motorcycles, whether on long or short drives, in any time of the day, in any type of road and highway. Exempted are drivers of tricycles.

The lawmaker further revealed that his other bill, SBN 2149 or Kids Off Motorcycles Bill, will be part of the proposed comprehensive road safety code. Under SBN 2149, children seven years old and below filing shall be prohibited to ride on motorcycles along national highways. "There's joyful feeling both to the parent and the child when riding together on motorcycles. But unwittingly, we're putting the life of the child at risk. The small hands of the child are not strong enough to firmly hold on the driver's waist or on the middle of the handlebar," Revilla pointed out.

Revilla thanked the MCPF, the umbrella organization of various bikers clubs with a million members nationwide, for supporting his road safety crusade.

"As I promised before, I will make sure that the Mandatory Helmet Bill, as well as the Kids Off Motorcycles Bill will be passed before this Congress ends. With the consistent support of the motorcycle rider sector, I am confident that these proposals will be approved," he added