TOM BACKS TWEAK IN MOTORCYCLE LAW

The proposal to establish a specific timeframe in which small children may ride motorcycles instead of completely banning the practice has found another supporter in Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Osmeña agreed with City Councilor Augustus Young that the Children's Safety on Motorcycles Act should be tweaked to allow children to ride motorcycles during particular hours of the day.

"Try it, just try it. But if it doesn't work, change it," Osmena told reporters yesterday.

"We have to change things. We have to test things. We have to take risks. We just have to try to minimize the losses, but when something works, then we develop it. That's how you grow," he added.

The mayor was among the first local officials who aired their gripe against the newly-implemented law, acknowledging that motorcycles are commonly used to transport small children to and from schools in the city.

“I'm not in favor of that because many children can't go to school anymore. Of course, the intention is there — the safety of the kids. But I think there's a bigger danger when our kids can't go to school anymore," he was quoted as saying in an earlier report.

Transport officials, however, insisted on implementing the law, saying it is for the public's safety.

“That is the mayor's comment and we respect it. I also have the same concern, but the law is there so we have to implement and enforce it for general public safety,” said Land Transportation Office-7 Director Alita Pulga.

“The LGUs (local government units) may recommend to LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) as to the possibility of opening routes for public utility vehicles in those areas (where public transportation is a challenge),” she added.

Young, assistant deputy mayor for education, first raised the suggestion to allow children to ride motorbikes during specific times of the day for the school children's convenience.

For instance, he said, children may be permitted to do so from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. during weekdays.

According to the law, only those children who can reach their feet on the foot peg, can wrap their arms around the driver's waist, and wear protective gear are allowed to ride such vehicles.

The law took effect last May 19. Since then, authorities have apprehended several violators.

In Cebu City alone, at least 10 motorcycle drivers have been flagged down for violating the law, according to Cebu City Transportation Office operations chief Francisco Ouano.

LTO-7, for its part, has also made several apprehensions in various operations across Metro Cebu.