Motorcyle owners told: Secure stickers for helmets

THE Department Trade and Industry in Davao region (DTI-Davao) called on motorcycle owners in Davao City to secure an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker for protective helmets before December 31 this year.

Robert Barlis, DTI regional consumer welfare and trade regulation division chief, said they started issuing stickers last August 6. The drivers have until December 31 to secure these ICC stickers.

Barlis said Republic Act (RA) 10054 or the Helmet Law will be in full implementation on January 3, 2013. RA 10054 is "an act mandating all motorcycle riders to wear standard protective motorcycle helmets while driving."

He said DTI-Davao had issued a total of 3,000 Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers to the motorcycle drivers in Davao City. Based on Land Transportation Office (LTO) records, the city has 66,716 registered motorcycle units.

Barlis, however, said they cannot determine the number of drivers who have yet to secure ICC stickers for helmets out of the 66,716 units since they don't have the record as to how many motorcycle drivers have actual units.

According to DTI-Davao, an average of around 200 motorcycle riders a day secure from the office ICC stickers or the prescribed helmets.

"But before we issue stickers, we will also consider the condition of the helmets. If the damage is severe we will not issue the drivers with stickers," Barlis said.

DTI-Davao is also following the "number coding scheme" in releasing ICC stickers. Motorcycles with plate number ending with "1 and 2" are scheduled on Monday; "3 and 4" on Tuesday; "5 and 6" on Wednesday; "7 and 8" on Thursday; and "9 and 0" on Friday.

LTO regional director Gomer Dy, speaking during Wednesday's Club 888 Forum, said the implementation for the RA 10054 covers even outside of city limits.

"The protection of drivers must include the standard protective helmet," Dy said.

He said motorists wearing non-prescribed protective helmets on January 1 next year will be penalized. Law offenders will be meted P1,500 for first offense. Second time offenders will be penalized P3,000.

Dy said violators for third offense will have a penalty fee of P5,000 and P10,000, and revocation of driver's license shall be imposed for the fourth time offenders.