Drivers count cost of Helmet Law

For habal-habal or motorcycle-for-hire drivers like Rudy Albia, the new requirements of of Republic Act 10054 or the Motorycle Helmet Act of 2009 makes life difficult.

“I’m not ready for the Helmet Law. I’m in dire need of money right now,” said the 45-year-old Albia, a driver for 10 years.

Cebu Daily News spotted Albia waiting for passengers in an alley and carrying two crash helmets.

Albia said he didn’t go to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) yet to have his helmets inspected.

They are not full-faced models as required by the law.

“I’m not sure if this kind of helmet is approved by the DTI,” he said in Cebuano.

Albia said the prescribed model would cost him P800 to P1,000 more.

“I’ll try to save some money first to buy one,” he said.

Albia, who drives passengers in barangays Sudlon, Kalunasan, and Lahug in Cebu City, said he earns P200 a day.

He starts looking for passengers in barangay Sudlon at 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.

He said there are 50 habal-habal drivers in barangay Sudlon.

Another habal-habal driver, 33-year-old Rinente Dayaganon, said he isn’t ready for the Helmet Law either.

“I don’t have money yet to pay for the processing fee and the sticker,’ said Dayaganon, a security guard.

DTI will charge a P100 processing fee and P1.25 for the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker which has to appear in a helmet to show it is the prescribed model.

The Land Transportation Office will enforce the new law starting August, but said they would give motorists until Dec. 31 to get the new stickers and submit their helmets for inspection.

The agency said the law will protect motorcycle drivers and their passengers.

Dayaganon, a single father of two, said he earns P300 a day driving the habal-habal from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Helmet Act of 2009 strictly requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear full-faced helmets that meet quality standards set by the DTI and other transport agencies.

Violators will be fined P1, 000 for the first offense; P3,000, second offense; P5,000, third offense; and P10,000 and confiscation of driver’s license for the fourth and succeeding violations.

Helmet manufacturers, importers or distributors found not complying with the law will be fined from P10,000 to P20,000.