REELECTIONIST Senator JV Ejercito has vowed to push for the enactment of the mandatory training for motorcycle owners that he had proposed in the 17th Congress.
A staunch road safety advocate, Ejercito said once re-elected in the May 2019 senatorial election, he would re-file his Senate Bill No. 1822, which seeks to mandate the Land Transportation Office to include as a requirement in the registration of motorcycles a certificate of completion issued to a motorcycle owner upon completion of the training program.
“Kailangan talaga may maayos at kumpletong training dahil napapansin n’yo naman siguro na lagi na lang laman ng balita ang aksidente ng motorsiklo,” he said in a statement.
Under his bill, the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, and road safety advocacy groups shall formulate a Comprehensive Motorcycle Safety Training Program and Manual, which shall include, but not limited to, driving rules and regulations, driving courtesy, road hazards, and vehicle safety features.
“The number of road crashes involving motorcycles is very alarming. Makakaiwas ang mga riders sa mga aksidenteng ganito na nakakadamay pa ng ibang tao kung may tamang training, may disiplina sila at may etiquette sa kalsada,” he said.
Records from Philippine Statistics Authority showed that motorcycle-related injuries comprise 69 percent of the total identified transport accidents nationwide.
Also, according to Accident Recording and Analysis System of the Metro Manila Development Authority, in Metro Manila alone, motorcycles rank first among vehicles that are involved in accidents.
“I know how dangerous it is because I am a rider myself. Kailangan unahin natin ang safety. Kaya kapag ako ay nanalo uli, one of my priority bills is the mandatory training for motorcycle owners,” Ejercito said.