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Dumaguete City, PhilippinesThursday, January 19, 2012
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LTO  chief denies helmet
use push money making

BY JUANCHO GALLARDE & MARICAR ARANAS

Dumaguete City Land Transportation Office chief Roland Ramos has vehemently denied insinuations that he is making money in forcing the issue of helmet use in Dumaguete.

Ramos was reacting to the reports that he receives a certain percentage from the sale of helmets by some motorcycle dealers in the city.

He challenged his accusers to go to court if they can find even one instant that he has done this in his entire career.

He said this could have been done by unscrupulous employees of the LTO before, but not during his stint as its chief.

Ramos admits that two motorcycle dealers who also sell helmets had approached him on this matter but he refused the offer and even recommended that helmets be included as part of the accessories in selling motorcycles.

    Meanwhile, Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Edward Carranza has directed all chiefs of police in Negros Oriental to intensify dissemination of the law on use of helmets among motorcycle users.

This is in line with a directive from PNP Regional Headquarters to strictly implement Republic Act 10054, a Motorcycle Helmet Act.

Carranza said this to the members of the Negros Oriental Provincial Board during its regular session yesterday.

He said the order was for its implementation to start this week after PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, Jr. issued a directive to PNP Negros Oriental to immediately and strictly implement the helmet law.

Carranza said they will implement the helmet law after a week of information dissemination.

Board Member Liland Estascion believes that if the helmet law is implemented immediately, it will create chaos and negative reactions from  motorcycle users.

She suggested giving at least a few days for the public to become aware of its implementation.

Carranza said he cannot comment on the kind of protective motorcycle helmet required because he has no technical know-how about the kinds of helmet. But he said he will ask the PNP Regional office for the guidelines on the required helmet.

Board Member Jessica Villanueva-Koppin also challenged Carranza to start implementing the helmet law among police officers in the province as there are a lot of motorcycle-using police officers who drive without helmets.

 Carranza said he will strictly require all police officers on motorcycle to wear helmets.

Republic Act 10054 or Motorcycle Helmet Act states that all motorcycle users, including drivers and back riders, must wear standard protective motorcycle helmets while driving.  Anyone caught violating the law will be fined P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, P5,000 for the third offense and P10,000, plus confiscation of driver’s license for succeeding offenses.*JG/MA

 

 

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