By Perla Lena and Gail Momblan/PNA
ILOILO CITY — More than 2,000 big bikers from various parts of the country gave President Rodrigo Duterte a loud applause after he announced that he will try to convince the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the implementation of the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.
Duterte was the guest of honor during the 25th National Federation of the Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines (NFMCP) national convention held at the Iloilo Convention Center in this city on April 6.
“I am going to correct that particular legislation with a compromise,” he said.
The President said he will try to convince the LTO to suspend the law. He explained that placing a plate in front of the motorcycle is dangerous because of its sharp edge.
“It could be a plastic or aluminum but still tutusok yan sa (it can pierce through your) helmet mo, delikado (it’s dangerous),” he said.
He said that in other countries, the plate numbers of motorcycle vehicles are placed at the back.
As a compromise, he said that the plate number to be placed at the back will be made bigger, an additional one-fourth, so that it is visible.
He will also talk with Senator Richard Gordon, the author of the law.
In addition to the double plate, he also wanted to reduce the fines for violations, which he said is too much, even more expensive than the price of the motorcycle itself.
He suggested that it be lowered to between PHP10,000 and PHP15,000.
LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar C. Galvante who was present during the convention said that pronouncement of Duterte will guide them in the ongoing crafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of the Law.
They are given 90 days to complete the IRR.
Galvante emphasized that the primordial in the IRR is the safety of the riders, as they looked forward to come up with win-win situation.
Meantime, should they decide to continue with the two plates, they are thinking of using stickers or decals for the front plate and not metal.
Meantime, President Duterte in his message reminded riders, especially the younger ones of their motorcycle speed.
He said that with the proliferation of cheap motorcycles, especially with the entrance of manufacturers from China, they were just being sold like refrigerators.
With this, he emphasized that LTO should make sure the once the motorcycle is released, it already has a registration.
“They should work on it kasi ngayon wala and yet they are using public streets covered by the law in LTO,” the President said.
Joining the President in the said event were Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, local officials led by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III, Dr. Ruben B. Ramirez, president of the NFMCP, and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
