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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Helmet law to be fully implemented in January 2013

By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY, Oct 2 (PIA) – Motorcycle riders and  back riders are given until December 31, 2012 to secure a standard protective motorcycle helmets to avoid penalties imposed under Republic Act 10054 otherwise known as “Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009” which will be fully implemented by January 1, 2013.

It can be recalled, RA 10054 was signed into law on March 23, 2010 with the aim to secure the safety of motorist and their passengers at all times through the mandatory enforcement of the use of standard protective motorcycle helmet.

Relative to this, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office issued an advisory on the schedule of inspection and validation of standard motorcycle helmets.

DTI Provincial Director Ma. Socorro Atay disclosed that their office have started accepting applicants for helmet inspection and validation since early September.

She said to avoid crowding of applicants, their office has adopted a system in the scheduling of inspection and markings of helmets as follows; for surnames/last names beginning with letters A to F are scheduled for inspection in September; G to O in October and P to Z in November, this year.

In addition to this, a number coding scheme where the  schedule of helmet inspection and placing of sticker is based on the last digit of the license plate number of their motorcycles, as follows: Plate numbers ending 1 and 2- Monday; 3 and 4 – Tuesday; 5 and 6 – Wednesday; 7 and 8 Thursday and 9 and 0 – Friday.

Furher, Dir. Atay said only motorcycle helmets bought before RA 10054 was enacted into law (March 23, 2012) are subject of validation with DTI for issuance of ICC stickers. Owners of helmets bought after March 23, 2010 are advised to check their helmets if it bears PS/ICC marks to avoid penalty come January 1, 2013.

Moreover, she informed the public that application forms and processing for the ICC stickers are free of charge until December 31, 2012. Beyond this deadline a processing fee will be charged at P100 and P1.25 for the sticker.  Concerned helmet owners are enjoined to visit DTI-ZDS Provincial Office at Capitol Site, Pagadian City as early as possible to avoid deadline rush. (JPA/CAL/ PIA9)