Ilocos Norte governor calls for stricter traffic laws enforcement

Laoag City—In an effort to curb the increasing number of road accidents in the province, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc ordered local government unit executives to intensify implementation of traffic laws, particularly those for motorcycles.

In a letter addressed to the Association of the Barangay Council presidents, Mr. Manotoc reminded all concerned authorities to strictly enforce Republic Act 10054, also known as the “Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009,” to ensure the safety of riders and passengers from life-threatening incidents. 

“We have begun the strict implementation of laws for motorcycle riders. This has been one of my emphasis which is to ensure all our motorcycle riders [in Ilocos Norte] are of age, they have license, and they use helmets especially when on major roads,” he remarked during his “First 100 Days Report” on October 8, 2019.

The Motorcycle Helmet Act mandates: “All motorcycle riders, including drivers and back riders, shall at all times wear standard protective motorcycle helmets while driving, whether long or short drives, in any type of road and highway.”

Full face and open face helmets bearing the Philippine Standard (PS) mark or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) are the standard protective helmets.

Failure to use helmet is punishable with a fine of PHP1,500 for the first offense; PHP3,000 for the second offense; PHP5,000 for the third offense; and PHP10,000 plus confiscation of driver’s license for the fourth and following offenses.

Over 8,400 traffic violations 2019’s 4rd quarter

The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Police Office (INPPO) conducted more than 17,000 checkpoint inspections in the province, recording over 8,400 traffic violations from January 1 to October 6, 2019.

According to P/Lt. Col. Reynante Baltazar of INPPO, traffic violations slightly increased compared to last year’s data. Invalid or no license topped the traffic violation list with 3,986 cases, followed by no helmet violations with 2,099 cases.

Moreover, 979 individuals failed to carry their motor vehicle’s Official Receipt or Certificate of Registration; 963 cases of unregistered motorcycles; 263 cases of improper attachment of plate number; and 139 cases of unauthorized attachments were recorded.

“We are conducting checkpoints para makita natin ang mga walang lisensya. Usually, ito kasi ang mga reckless drivers. Kasama na rin dito ang pag-monitor natin sa mga minors na nagmamaneho at yung mga unregistered motorcycles,” Mr. Baltazar explained.

Aside from the active checkpoint operations, INPPO is also coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways in installing traffic signages and repairing damaged roads to prevent further accidents.

INPPO: Minors driving motorcycle a liability of parents

Mr. Baltazar also warned the parents and guardians to prohibit their children from driving motorcycles because authorities may file criminal liability against them.

“They [parents] need to be mindful kasi mayroon tayong Presidential Decree (PD) 603. Unang-una hindi natin pinapayagan magkalisensya ang mga menor de edad at liability ng mga magulang kung pinayagan nilang magmaneho ang kanilang mga anak na walang lisensya.”

According to Article 59, paragraph 12 of PD 603 (The Child and Youth Welfare Code), the criminal liability will be imposed to parents if the child of underage is permitted to drive a motor vehicle without a license or with a license which has been illegally obtained.

Based on latest records, three minors, two from Piddig and one from Dingras, were apprehended through the INPPO’s “Oplan Sita” operations. (Blessing Angel V. Agliam)