No more extension on helmet sticker issuance

THE Davao City field office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will no longer extend the issuance of free Import Commodity Clearance stickers for helmets of motorists who failed to beat the deadline on December 28, 2012.

Roberto Barlis, consumer welfare officer and spokesperson of the DTI-Davao City, said the public has been given ample time to avail of the ICC stickers since the mandatory certification was passed into law in 2009, and with the implementation of the Helmet Law on August 1.

But the Department of Transportation and Communications ordered the Land Transportation Office to hold the enforcement of the Helmet Law until January 2013 to give the DTI enough time to check if the existing helmets and those imported into the country had ICC stickers issued by the Bureau of Product Standards.

He said that with the extension, motorcycle owners were given ample time to have their helmets inspected and validated by the DTI, to ensure its integrity as a protective gear for its users.

"The issue here is the driver's safety. We want to make sure that the helmet can really protect and prevent head injuries in case of accident," Barlis said.

He said that for Davao City alone, the DTI inspected 20,000 helmets and were issued corresponding ICC stickers.

Barlis also said that based on the records from the Land Transportation Office, Davao City had a more than 60,000 registered motorcycles based on the 2011 data.

He said given that there is no longer an extension, motorists who failed to get the ICC stickers for their helmet may purchase a new one from the duly-certified sellers of rider's helmet.

Barlis said the Bureau of Product Standards provided their agency the list of corresponding stickers that were released to the market as reference in case any tampering of ICC would happen.

He also pointed out that the ICC sticker stands alone during the inspection conducted by the Land Transportation Office.

"You do not need to bring the ICC certificate issued by the BPS for the corresponding ICC sticker on your helmet. The ICC sticker can stand alone for inspection," Barlis said.

Republic Act 10054, which mandates all motorcycle riders to wear standard protective helmets while driving, imposes fines for violators at P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, P5,000 for the thirds offense, and P10,000 plus confiscation of driver's license for the fourth and succeeding offenses.