MOTORCYCLE drivers in Talisay City caught carrying children as passengers will no longer be penalized.

Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. had a change of heart.

“As to our last announcement that we will also penalize motorcycle riders who allow children to backride with them, we have decided to put the policy on hold due to humanitarian reasons and to place it under review before we will decide to carry out it in the near future. I understand motorcycle riders living in our city use this to ferry their children to school and it would do them a disservice if we prevent them for doing this, thus the need to have the policy reviewed,” Gullas said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page.

Earlier this week, Gullas ordered the City of Talisay Traffic Operations and Development Authority (CT-Toda) to go after violators of traffic laws, particularly motorcycle drivers with no helmets and those who allow children to backride.

Meanwhile, motorcycle drivers who violate the “no helmet, no drive” policy are still not off the hook.

Gullas ordered CT-Toda Chief Jonathan Tumulak and his enforcers to go after them, especially after a 51-year-old motorcycle driver was killed in a road accident in Barangay Cansojong last month.

The incident, which was caught on security camera, showed that the victim was not wearing a helmet.

The mayor said he would insist on the strict implementation of the policy to prevent more road deaths.

“As your mayor, I have always been looking after your safety and security. Whether it’s flooding or traffic, my policies have always been geared towards looking after your overall interest, including your safety,” Gullas said. (JKV)