Guv to meet LTO, police for helmet law suspension

GOVERNOR Roel Degamo is set to meet top officials of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ask for possible suspension of the implementation of the controversial helmet law.

In a public message during his radio program “Gugma sa Probinsiya” over dyGM on Thursday, Degamo said he, together with Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagabarria, will meet LTO District Chief Roland Ramos and PNP Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Edward Caranza on Friday regarding their concern.

The governor said Ramos and Caranza will lead the full implementation of the helmet law in Negros Oriental that will start on August 1.

Ramos, earlier told Sun.Star that no politician can stop the implementation of the helmet law except the court.

Likewise, Regional Trial Court Branch 44 Judge Neceforo Enot earlier junked the petition for temporary restraining order filed by Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova, together with Councilors Manuel Arbon, Joe Kenneth Arbas, and Antonio Remollo of Dumaguete City.

Cordova, Arbon, and Arbas, who are lawyers by profession, along with at least a thousand Dumagueteños, questioned the legality and constitutionality of the mandatory wearing of helmet.

In a press conference held at the mayor’s office on Wednesday, Mayor Sagarbarria admitted that he cannot halt the full implementation of the helmet law since it is a national law.

Mayor Sagarbarria said the implementation of the helmet law slated on August 1 is not only in Dumaguete City but nationwide.

The mayor also clarified that he does not allow any personnel from the City’s Traffic Management Office (TMO) to join the LTO and PNP in apprehending motorcycle riders failing to wear helmet.

He said, however, that motorcycle riders who do not wear helmet will be flagged down.

The mayor said although he is against the wearing of helmet within the city’s streets due to its impracticality, he will not encourage the public, especially the motorcycle riders, to defy the law.

In this connection, the city mayor in his capacity as chief executive sent a formal protest to Senator Ramon Revilla and furnished copies to other senators for possible amendments of the assailed helmet law.

Senator Revilla is the main author of the Republic Act 10054 or mandatory wearing of helmet act.

The mayor said he already personally handed over a copy to Senator Teofisto Guingona III asking for the support to exempt Dumaguete City of the helmet law.