Back in 2009, Republic Act 10054, or the Motorcycle Helmet Act was signed into law, mandating all motorcycle riders, as well as their pillion, to wear a safety helmet designed specifically for motorcycle riding.
This year, the Municipality of Taytay, Rizal, has issued an executive order that prohibits motorcycle riders, as well as their pillion, to wear their safety helmets while riding.
Taytay Executive Order No. 62, Series of 2023
To be more specific, Executive Order (EO) No. 62, Series of 2023, which was signed by Taytay Mayor, Allan De Leon earlier this month, prohibits motorcycle riders, as well as their pillion, from wearing their safety helmets, masks, and similar objects while riding on municipal and barangay roads within the territorial jurisdiction of Taytay.
Municipal roads are defined as “roads which provide inter-barangay connection to major municipal infrastructure and those which connect barangay roads to provincial/national roads.
Barangay roads, on the other hand, are minor or tertiary roads, streets, and alleys under the management of the barangay.
The authorized enforcers of this EO are the local PNP, MPSO, barangay officials and tanods, and other deputized enforcers by the municipality of Taytay. These enforcers are authorized, under EO 62, Series of 2023, to require rider and their pillions to remove their helmets, balaclava, or similar face covering while riding on municipal and barangay roads.
With regards to penalty, EO 62, Series of 2023 has not specified the penalties for those who are found to be in violation of this rule but referred the matter to the Municipal Council to enact an ordinance with the corresponding penalties.
EO 62, Series of 2023 was enacted in response to the rising incidents involving “unknown motorcycle driving assailants” who “carry out crimes and escape arrest from police authorities.”
“Another knee-jerk legislation”
Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO), slammed Taytay’s new rule against riders, calling it “another knee-jerk legislation” that compromises the safety of motorcycle riders and their pillions.
“[This is] another knee-jerk legislation with complete disregard to public safety and equality... Our lawmakers need to learn how to do research and study fair legislation before they even try to make the rules,” said Jobert Bolanos of MRO.
