ORMOC
CITY, Leyte, Aug. 8 -- The local government here has intensified the
enforcement of protective helmet law covering "habal-habal"
motorcycles.
Sr. Supt.
Ramil Ramirez, chief of Ormoc City police office, said they are enforcing the
protective helmet law for road safety including "habal-habal", a
single motorcycle with extended seat,
transporting passengers in steep terrain
and narrow roads. “Habal-habals are not considered legal commercial
transportation, but they are allowed to operate by tolerance so as not to
deprive them of their livelihood. The intention of the law is to ensure safety
of drivers,” Ramirez added.
On
Monday, the city government here distributed 420 standard helmets in 21
identified motorcycle terminals, which received 20 helmets each.
Mayor
Richard Gomez, who came up with the idea of shouldering the expenses for the
protective helmets to help motorcycle drivers abide to the law, made the
announcement two months ago. The city government allocated PHP420,000 for the
procurement of 420 units.
Earlier,
the mayor authorized the local police to impose a stricter implementation of
the law among motorists to keep the riders safe.
The city
officials also clarified that the use of helmets both by the drivers and
passengers should be observed from starting point to their point of
destination, and not just limited to city streets where policemen are visible.
The city
government has since adopted national laws this year like the Road Speed
Limiter Act of 2016 using speed radar guns, and the Anti-Drunk and Drugged
Driving Act of 2013 through the use of breathalyzers.
It can
also be noted that the city has been the first in the region to implement these
laws for habal-habal drivers in their area. (Joseph Pilapil/PNA)
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