MT. PROVINCE – All motorcycle, tricycle, e-bike and bicycle drivers and riders are required to wear a high visibility vest while travelling on all roads in the province.
This, following the enactment of an ordinance which ensures the security and protection of all motorists and road users within Mountain Province.
Sponsored by SP Member and Chairperson of Committee on Environmental Protection and Tourism Donato L. Danglose, Provincial Ordinance No. 326 otherwise known as the “HI-VIS-VEST ORDINANCE OF MOUNTAIN PROVINCE” was adopted and enacted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Mountain Province on December 10, 2018.
Section 4 entitled, “MANDATORY USE OF HIGH VISIBILITY VEST” of Provincial Ordinance No. 326 further states that in case the motorcycle, e-bike, tricycle and bicycle riders/drivers/back-riders carry with them a backpack, it should have a “reflectorizer” or a high visibility material big enough for easy visibility.
Per said ordinance, High Visibility Vest is defined as a reflective vest that provides added visibility to make the person more noticeable over the regular clothing, then taken off when one reaches the destination, and e-bike, power bike or booster bike is a bicycle with an integrated electric motor which can be used for propulsion and/or transport.
Section 6 and 7 of the same ordinance are on Implementation and Policies, respectively. The offices to implement the provisions of the ordinance are the Department of Transportation with its concerned agency, the Land Transportation Office, and the Philippine National Police. The following are the penalties for violation of the Ordinance: 1st offense – Reprimand, 2nd offense – P1,000.00, 3rd offense and succeeding offenses –P2,000.00 or imprisonment of not more than one year or both at the discretion of the court.
While road transport is an essential means of carrying people and goods, road traffic injuries and accidents continue to be the well known causes of death either locally or globally.
In Mountain Province, Mountain Province Police Provincial Office recorded a total of 121 motorcycle and 37 tricycle accidents from 2016 to November 2018.
It is in this light that the SP of Mountain Province recognized the need for a policy action to reduce motorcycle, tricycle, bicycle and e-bike accidents that may result in physical injuries and even death, and thereby protect the lives and properties of its people. ** Imelda U. Sawi
