CHIZ ASKS DTI: EASE MOTORISTS’ WOES ON ‘HELMET ACT’

Senator Chiz Escudero called on the Department of Trade and Industry to ease the woes of motorcycle owners and riders in having their helmets inspected.
“DTI should regulate retailers and dealers of helmets so that they sell only accredited products. This, in turn, will spare motorists the hassle of having their helmets inspected and pasted with ICC stickers,” Escudero said.
The senator said motorists may buy helmets from accredited retailers and dealers on the assumption that the products are in the market because these have already passed all product inspections and tests of DTI.
Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcycle Act of 2009 gives motorcycle riders until August this year to have their helmets inspected and certified with an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker by the DTI’s Bureau of Product and Standards.
The deadline was moved to Dec. 31 this year upon DTI’s request to give it time to complete the inspection of all helmets coming into the country.
Earlier, local officials across the country protested the “questionable manner” by which the inspections were being conducted.
In Cagayan de Oro City, councilors assailed the Region 10 offices of DTI and Land Transportation Office over the inspections following complaints from motorists.
In Bacolod City, motorists held a noise barrage and decried the lack of an information drive by DTI on the law’s implementation. They also protested the penalties imposed under the law.