THE 20th City Council’s approval of an ordinance placing speed limits on motorcycle riders within commercial districts can be an effective deterrent to criminal elements, Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy said today.
“I’m in favor of that ordinance because it will help improve security in our establishments, particularly in the city’s commercial district. It cannot be avoided that because people are busy with activities in these places, there will be loopholes (in security). So I thank the 20th City Council for passing this ordinance,” Mayor Uy said in Visayan during his Friday radio program ‘Ang Imong Alagad: Mayor Klarex Uy.’
In their afternoon session last Monday, the City Council passed an ordinance placing speed limits on motorcycle riders in commercial districts or poblacion areas.
In explaining his support for the city ordinance, Mayor Uy said crimes such as holdups usually involve those wearing full-face helmets.
“The speed limits will apply only on commercial districts, not highways,” Mayor Uy said in Visayan.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO-10) acknowledged that some local governments in Northern Mindanao which includes Cagayan de Oro City passed ordinances regulating helmet use in their jurisdiction.
This is despite their enforcement of Republic Act 10054 or the Helmet Law which mandates the wearing of helmets by motorcycle riders and their passengers.
In an interview with local media, Ferdinand Flores of the LTO’s regional transportation regulation office said the legal validity of these ordinances remains unchallenged out of their deference to the autonomy of local governments which cited crime prevention as a basis for their measures.
Mayor Uy also shares the sentiments of these local governments.
“When the motorists enter an establishment, he or she should of course remove his/her helmet or else they will be prohibited from entering if they insist on wearing the helmet or bonnet (ski mask). To implement the speed limit ordinance, the City Council also passed a resolution asking for the acquisition of speed guns for our police,” Mayor Uy said in Visayan.
Mayor Uy acknowledged the imposition of the Helmet Law but said it applies specifically to motorists speeding along the highway.
“At the poblacion one cannot speed up because there are many roads…for too long, some criminal elements are exploiting the law (to get away with their crimes),” Mayor Uy said in Visayan. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)
