Just say NO to LTO!

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Hip hip, HORRAY! Sanity and freedom rule.

From the Visayan Daily Star;

The controversial Administrative Order AHS-2008-015 issued by the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Land Transportation Office, had been revised through the efforts of Negros Oriental solons while preliminary budget hearings were conducted in Congress.

Rep. Henry Pryde Teves (Neg. Or., 3rd District,) brought home yesterday an unnumbered Memorandum Order signed by DOTC Assistant Secretary Alberto Suansing.

The order revises the rules and regulations on the use and operation of motorcycles on highways, the most important portion of which, states that “there shall be a five-year moratorium imposed on the mandatory use of prescribed standard helmet effective September 30, 2008.”

As a rider himself, Teves said he prefers to wear helmet when riding a motorcycle. He added that he is also pushing for the revision on the number of allowable motorcycle passengers, especially on the operation of “habal-habal” motorcycles.

Under the memorandum order, allowing only one back rider shall be mandatory only along national and highly urbanized city roads, while awaiting the result of the study on its applicability along municipal and barangay roads based on the classification of roads and travel demand.

The revision also allows a motorcycle to carry cargo, provided the width is not more than two feet from its side and the height shall not be higher than the driver when seated on the motorcycle.

The same order also suspended a provision requiring prior approval of the LTO and the Department of Trade and Industry in modifying original standard design of a motorcycle or scooter.

Wearing of ordinary and closed shoes while operating a motorcycle shall not be penalized.

Teves said that all issues and concerns regarding the questioned administrative order will be heard during a public hearing in Negros Oriental, which he proposed to host as soon as possible.

He stressed the importance of cooperation among local government units in the enforcement of the memorandum.

Teves enjoined LGUs to send a representative during the conduct of LTO operations to make sure only the revised rules and regulations and approved fees are enforced.*JG

Larry