Wednesday, October 08, 2008 Council pushes for review of LTO motorcycle rule
FOLLOWING the complaints of motorcycle owners, the Davao City Council passed a resolution under suspended rules Tuesday asking the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Central Office to review and clarify the provisions of Administrative Order 2008-15 prescribing the rules and regulations for the use and operation of motorcycle on highways.
"The administrative order has no doubt the best intention which is for public interest and the welfare and safety of drivers and passengers of motorcycles but it has caused nationwide uproar and protest due to its vague and inconsistent provisions," Councilor Pilar Braga, proponent of the resolution, said in her privilege speech.
"Many legislative bodies have strongly reacted to the practicality and applicability of the administrative order," she added, citing the government of Capiz, Dumaguete and Bukidnon as three of those.
Braga also noted the excessive fines imposed depending on violations - those caught without helmets would be fined P1,500; motorcycles with excessive passengers and cargo would be fined P1,000; those with defective accessories would be fined P1,000; riders not wearing protective devices would be fined P500 for the first offense, P700 for the second offense and P1,000 plus revocation of drivers license for the third offense.
"All over the country, motorcycle owners, parts suppliers, service providers, and concerned citizens demand that certain provisions of the order be reviewed because they are vague, inconsistent and impractical. Thus it is only fitting that we do the same," Braga said. (GLP)
