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)