The Sangguniang Panlungsod of  Dumaguete  assured constituents Wednesday of finding legal measures to stop the nationwide implementation of Republic Act 10054 or the Mandatory Helmet Act, this year.

A public hearing presided  over by Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova, showed divided and different interpretations of the law that  majority of the motorcycle-riding public in Dumaguete are strongly opposing.

Some councilors were for the use of motorcycle helmets by drivers and their riders for protection and safety reasons, while others were against it. However, all were  assured  that the  concerns raised will be forwarded to the national government agencies concerned, especially  to Senator Ramon Revilla, Jr., author of the law.

The  concerns  focused on the “impracticality” of the law, noting that  the city streets were narrow and speed limits were much lower than in highly urbanized areas, and the economic impact on families with the costs of the helmets ranging from P700 to P5,000.

Revilla  was invited to the public hearing but failed to attend, apparently due to the ongoing Senate impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Cordova stressed that all conditions must be present before a law can be implemented, saying  this is the essence of democracy. He said that  while many are supporting the law, he believes majority of the motorcycle-riding public in Dumaguete will bear the economic impact when it is enforced.

 Cordova assured that the city councilors will be united in their effort to bring the concerns of their constituents to the appropriate agencies.*JFP

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