Tuesday, September 30, 2008 Editorials: LTO officials’ smugness
THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) should not be surprised at the vehemence with which motorcycle owners and drivers are protesting its recent administrative order.
In some of the provisions of the said administrative order, there is an apparent disconnect in the safety and decency measures being put in place with the actual and usual practices in motorcycle use.
The matter on the practicality of the guidelines and the capacity of the LTO to implement these is also being raised.
In all these, what comes out is the general view that the administrative order didn’t go through the usual extensive study and consultations required for administrative orders that affects a great number of people.
Flawed guidelines
Provisions on the use of helmets and their quality and design are less debatable for obvious reasons.
Even the Cebu City Council recognized the need to be strict on this aspect years ago when it passed an ordinance requiring the use by all motorcycle riders of helmets that effectively cover the head.
But LTO officials must recognize the flaws in the guidelines on repair of motorcycles, attire required for drivers, etc. that are the most objected to aspects of the order because of questions of practicality and their being oppressive to motorcycle users.
Intensifying protests
LTO officials have so far tried to be smug amidst the rising swirl of protests probably believing it can get away with the order in the long term when protesters give up the fight.
Instead, the smugness has pushed people affected nationwide to forge a kind of unity that has made their protest potent and the actions taken, legal or otherwise, difficult to stave off.
Hiding behind the claim that motorcycle users have been told about the guidelines when they applied for licenses is no longer enough considering the intensity of the complaints and the logic of the counter-arguments presented.
Need to act
At the very least, LTO officials must review the provisions of the administrative order, if not people will believe their concerns are actually not for the safety and welfare of motorcycle users but for something dubious.
