City Council holds hearing on proposed full-face helmet ordinance

The Committee on Transportation on June 7 conducted the second public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance prohibiting the use of full-face helmet in the City Poblacion of Puerto Princesa.

The rider community expressed their concern over their safety. “When there’s an accident on the road, the only form of protection in his [referring to husband] control at the moment is the type of helmet he uses… [people] they don’t know the rules but they’re on the road so we have to live with that and us responsible drivers are trying to do what we can to keep ourselves safe,” argued one of the citizens not in favor of the proposal.

The motorcycle riders laid down suggestions on how to identify the riders without the prohibition of full face helmets such as putting identification stickers and having barangays and motorcycle rider groups keep updated list of its riders.

The Committee on Transportation along with the Highway Patrol Group, however, stands by the proposed ordinance and states that the bottom line of the proposal is for the drivers to have discipline as the ordinance only applies within the city poblacion.

“Kung masusunod lang po natin magkakaroon tayo ng disiplina, hindi na po natin kailangan yang full face na yan kung yung 30 or 40 kilometer[s] per hour lang po,” said Punong Barangay Coco Gabuco of Brgy. San Pedro, where the checkpoint is placed.

“Yung safety kasi nasa sa atin yan, magingat tayo, magingat tayo magdrive sa poblacion siguro okay na yun pagdating sa safety pero yung riding in tandem kapag dumating sa atin, ang impact nyan napakalaki, nasabi ko nga kanina it will affect our tourism industry, kapag naapektuhan an gating tourism industry, lahat tayo [apektado] dahil lahat tatyo nakikinabang sa ating tourism industry,” P/MSGT. Jason Altarejos of PNP-Highway Patrol Group stated

A third hearing was scheduled to discuss the matter further. It will be held at the Mendoza Park on Thursday, June 13 at 2:00 P.M. All motorcycle riders are invited and encouraged to voice out their concerns.

Committee Chairman Rolando Amurao spearheaded the hearing at the Conference Room A of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, New City Hall, Brgy. Sta Monica.

Several motorcycle rider communities such as Palawan Eagle, RS Lovers Riders Club, Tamilok Motorcycle Group, Naked Wolves Palawan, Rouser Group Philippines and United Sportsbikes of Palawan were in attendance.