Congress has been very busy as of late. Bills are flying left and right and after a somewhat “controversial” proposal for mandatory parking ownership for vehicle owners, we found one that will undoubtedly stir the riding community. The Motorcycle Safety Riding Act calls for the training of riders on safety standards and road courtesy, among others. But what really catches attention is that it will require motorcycle owners and drivers to join a motorcycle club.
Let’s dive deeper, shall we?
Motorcycle Safety Riding Act calls for training and mandatory Rider Club membership
House Bill No. 32, as is the Act’s filing name, was forwarded by Marinduque Rep. Lord Velasco. With it, he aims to promote motorcycle safety through mandated “training on road safety standards, proper road courtesy, and pertinent traffic laws, rules, and regulations”. He believes that the proposed measure will significantly resolve road safety concerns, lessen motorcycle-related accidents, and help prevent the use of motorcycles in the commission of crimes
So how will this all come together?
First is that motorcycle owners and riders must join a Land Transportation Office (LTO)-accredited club. But before that, of course, all motorcycle clubs old and new will have to seek proper recognition and accreditation from the LTO. Specifics can be found in the Bill’s provisions below.
Once this has been sorted out, the Motorcycle Safety Riding Act will call on the riders/owners to undergo safety and road courtesy training for riders. Training must be in accordance with LTO’s standards and guidelines. Once training has been completed, a certificate shall be issued in the name of the motorcycle owner and driver. Only with this certificate can a motorcycle be registered, and can a driver’s license be renewed or issued to a new rider. You can see the details of this provision in the photo below.
Provisions for violations have also been set in the Motorcycle Safety Riding Act, and the fines are pretty hefty. Some of these include a fine of no less than PHP 10,000 but not more than PHP 30,000 for anyone who owns or drives a motorcycle without a training certificate and club membership certificate. Anyone who allows the registration of a motorcycle or approval of a driver’s license application without the aforementioned prerequisites will face jail time of 6 months up to 2 years, plus a fine of anywhere between PHP 20,000 and 50,000.
The biggest penalties are those found to have falsified information for any of the prerequisites. Imprisonment for anywhere between 6 months and 2 years will be accompanied by a fine of not less than PHP 50,000 but no more than PHP 100,000.
It’s worth noting that the filing and receipt of the Motorcycle Safety Riding Act or House Bill No. 32 were on June 30, 2022. With Congress now in full swing post-elections, perhaps this will get more attention from the powers that be. Whether or not it is passed into or lapses into law is something we eagerly await.
Until such time, we know that the riding community will have a lot to say about this. If you happen to be a part of our two-wheel readers, please let us know what you think in the comments. It’s time to be heard.
This is nothing but blatant LAZINESS on behalf of the PNP and LTO.
First ask you need to answer these questions:
•Why are the responsibilities and requirements of Oath that all Law Enforcement Officials at every level took being placed on the backs of Motorcycle/Riding Clubs?
•Isnt it already a Law that you have to pass a written exam and physical driving exam to obtain a Philippine Drivers License?
“Its in hopes to educate citizens on proper safety and courtesies of the road.” Isnt that what the license examinations at local LTO offices for?
How about pass a bill that requires Law Enforcement Officials to do their jobs with Professionalism, Discipline, and Integrity! Instead of setting up a checkpoint in the shade every couple of months, and idly watching everyone without a License, OR/CR, properly maintained road legal bikes or cars, not wearing a helmet, riders under the age 12, the damn list goes on and on! How about make them actually and actively “PATROL” and execute lawful traffic stops when traffic violations hve been witnessed?
All in all, this is a big crock of shit!
LTO should have an effective way of regulating and monitoring the Clubs otherwise the riders would only be used as milking cows by greedy club owners.
This bill is good for those who are rich financially. The author is trying get more money from us.