HOUSE TACKLES MEASURES ON MANDATORY USE OF SEATBELTS
For: CustomsWeek Desk
attn: Inday Varona
c/o Bobby Nazareno
--------------------------
by: Terence Mordeno Grana
SEVERAL measures have been filed in House of Representatives mandating the use seatbelts by motorists of private and public vehicles and requiring the vehicle manufacturers to install seatbelt devices in all the vehicles that they manufacture. The bills were in turn, referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Communications for its deliberation and subsequent recommendation before these could finally be considered on the plenary sessions for the House’s final action.
The first measure that touches the subject matter is House Bill (HB) No. 3325, principally authored by Iloilo Representative (Rep.) Narciso D. Monfort, which allows the owners of cars and operators of taxicabs a maximum of one year within which to comply with the requirement of installing seatbelt devices in their vehicles.
HB 4185 of Bohol Rep. Ernesto F. Herrera, however, requires the drivers and front seat passengers of public or private motor vehicles, for their own safety, to wear or use their seatbelt devices at all times, while driving or riding the vehicle. It also mandates the car manufacturers, assemblers and distributors to ensure that seatbelt devices are properly installed in vehicles.
On the other hand, Aklan Rep. Allen S. Quimpo filed HB 5275 which also prescribes penalties and fines on the drivers and manufacturers, assemblers, importers and distributors of vehicles found to be violating of the provisions of the Act.
In the latest deliberation of the Committee on the proposed measures held last week, Director Lansang and Mr. Ben Calima of the Land Transportation Office, Mr. Delfin Justiniano of the Philippine Motor Association (PMA), Mr. Ernesto Camarillo of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Ms. Cecille Abella of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) served as the resource persons.
Western Samar Rep. Rodolfo T. Tuazon, the Committee Chairman, explained that the requirement for motorists of public and private vehicles to use seatbelts should not be limited to taxicabs only.
Rep. Tuazon suggested that public buses will also be required to install such devices subject to the specifications on how it would fit these vehicles.
LTO Director Lansang, however, stressed that the mandatory use of seatbelts can be implemented in the country with the end in view of promoting public safety.
Leyte Rep. Alfred S. Romualdez, on the other hand, suggested that the proposed measures should be clear on the standards, relating his observation on the use of seatbelts in other countries.
Chairman Tuazon requested the members of the committee as well as the resource persons to form a technical working group which will study the comments, suggestions and positions of concerned sectors to recommend appropriate legislation on the subject matter. - 30 -
attn: Inday Varona
c/o Bobby Nazareno
--------------------------
by: Terence Mordeno Grana
SEVERAL measures have been filed in House of Representatives mandating the use seatbelts by motorists of private and public vehicles and requiring the vehicle manufacturers to install seatbelt devices in all the vehicles that they manufacture. The bills were in turn, referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Communications for its deliberation and subsequent recommendation before these could finally be considered on the plenary sessions for the House’s final action.
The first measure that touches the subject matter is House Bill (HB) No. 3325, principally authored by Iloilo Representative (Rep.) Narciso D. Monfort, which allows the owners of cars and operators of taxicabs a maximum of one year within which to comply with the requirement of installing seatbelt devices in their vehicles.
HB 4185 of Bohol Rep. Ernesto F. Herrera, however, requires the drivers and front seat passengers of public or private motor vehicles, for their own safety, to wear or use their seatbelt devices at all times, while driving or riding the vehicle. It also mandates the car manufacturers, assemblers and distributors to ensure that seatbelt devices are properly installed in vehicles.
On the other hand, Aklan Rep. Allen S. Quimpo filed HB 5275 which also prescribes penalties and fines on the drivers and manufacturers, assemblers, importers and distributors of vehicles found to be violating of the provisions of the Act.
In the latest deliberation of the Committee on the proposed measures held last week, Director Lansang and Mr. Ben Calima of the Land Transportation Office, Mr. Delfin Justiniano of the Philippine Motor Association (PMA), Mr. Ernesto Camarillo of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Ms. Cecille Abella of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) served as the resource persons.
Western Samar Rep. Rodolfo T. Tuazon, the Committee Chairman, explained that the requirement for motorists of public and private vehicles to use seatbelts should not be limited to taxicabs only.
Rep. Tuazon suggested that public buses will also be required to install such devices subject to the specifications on how it would fit these vehicles.
LTO Director Lansang, however, stressed that the mandatory use of seatbelts can be implemented in the country with the end in view of promoting public safety.
Leyte Rep. Alfred S. Romualdez, on the other hand, suggested that the proposed measures should be clear on the standards, relating his observation on the use of seatbelts in other countries.
Chairman Tuazon requested the members of the committee as well as the resource persons to form a technical working group which will study the comments, suggestions and positions of concerned sectors to recommend appropriate legislation on the subject matter. - 30 -
posted by brodkaster43 at
7/19/2006 10:13:00 AM
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