Yt Framework

To avoid confusion among motorists on what type of helmets they should use in travelling the city’s streets, Councilor Vincent Paul Elago is set to dialogue with different stakeholders in the afternoon of Tuesday next week at the session hall of the Sangguniang Panlungsod along R.T. Lim Boulevard, this city.

Elago said officials and representatives of different agencies such as Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Land Transportation Office 9 (LTO), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), motorcycle dealers, motorists, motorcycle clubs, and other stakeholders are invited to attend the meeting scheduled at 2 p.m.

“I am really concerned about the plight of our motorcycle riders because the LTO is now on an aggressive campaign to inform that it is going to implement the full-faced helmet law in January next year. I know many of our motorists are against the use of the full-faced helmets because it is costly at the same time the local government is even asking the drivers to use half-faced helmets due to the many crime incidents involving suspected gunmen who are using the covered helmets,” Elago emphasized.

Elago raised this concern during the conduct of the regular council session last Wednesday and it was through the initiative of Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde for the councilor to officially call for a dialogue with the different stakeholders to resolve the helmet issue in the city.

The district 2 alderman said the discussion will once and for all clarify all contradicting statements and interpretations on what kind of helmet should be used and at the same time give the motorist the chance to ask questions and to give their sentiments concerning the use of helmets.

It is to be recalled, LTO Regional Director Atty. Aminola Abaton announced that his office will implement the use of full-faced helmets in Region 9 including Zamboanga City following the recently approved helmet law by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The implementation of the said national law will run contrary to the concern of the local government against the use of the full-faced helmets because of several shooting incidents involving suspected gunmen using the covered helmets.

By Nonong Santiago