Another city, Surigao City of the province of Surigao del Norte in Mindanao, is hoping to pass an ordinance that prohibits the riders from using helmets or facemasks while within its borders. Like many ordinances implemented by other cities and municipalities, the move is hoped to deter riding-in-tandem related crime.
While the city council's intent is to improve security in the area, the visual identification of said suspects will have to be conducted in person as the city's CCTV network is still incomplete and inoperable.
Through Republic Act 10054, or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009, it is mandated by law that all motorcycle riders should wear their safety crash helmets every time they board and ride their steeds, “in any type of road and highway” throughout the entire country. Section 6 of this law, also specifies which government agency will implement the Motorcycle Helmet Act, which, the Land Transportation Office or the LTO is the lead agency.
Besides the proposed implementation, news had circulated on motorcycle-related social media groups about an LTO officer who had voiced his approval of the proposed “No helmet, no face mask” ordinance of Surigao City.
Through RPN Radio Surigao, LTO Surigao Del Norte District Officer, Engr. Manuel Del Carmen, has confirmed that he favored the move of the Sangguniang Panglungsod to propose a ban on the use of motorcycle helmets and face masks by riders to deter riding-in-tandem criminals.
Also, Del Carmen also suggested that police and traffic enforcers should apprehend motorcycle riders and their back riders who are concealing their faces, and immediately impound motorcycles that are unregistered or have no plate numbers.
The Sangguniang Panglungsod of Surigao will conduct a Public Hearing Session today at 2 PM for the proposed ordinance filed by City Councilor, Noel Christian Catre Jr., prohibiting the use of helmet and/or bonnets, and face masks by riders and passengers of motorcycles within the city.
