Gerry Cornejo aka “jakrabbit” on the MCP Forum, invited me last week to be a guest on his radio program on DZRJ-AM 810. This was supposed to be a kind of introduction of the website motorcyclephilippines.com to his audience. One of Gerry’s advocacies is Motorcycle Riding since he himself is a rider (he rides a Honda Wave to and from his office everyday). Joining me on the program was Nani Juarez aka. Dr. Scoot of Scooterista magazine.
It was an interesting experience since this was my first radio interview ever so I didn’t know what to expect. The morning started out very well, with Gerry, Nani and I exchanging a few pleasantries before the program began. He had mentioned before we went on-air that we were going to be discussing the new law being proposed by the MMDA, the now infamous Helmet Sticker Law.
Different topics were discussed regarding this issue, and all of them have been discussed both on this blog and on the forum. But we had the chance to speak to the MMDA Chairman himself and were able to bring some points across to him as well as him being able to air his points to us too. There was no room for any heavy debating since time was limited. Chairman Fernando kept pushing the point “Where are the alternatives?” He had been barking that line for a good part of the program and when I had finally had my chance to say my piece I asked him, “Sir, I think what should have been done was to have had a dialog with the various riding groups or organizations while that law/ordinance was being drafted.” Of the answer was a series of runarounds regarding having 2 weeks already and they have not received any recommendation from anyone, just threats. It was then I had asked him, “If we do come up with something that will or can replace this law, where do we bring it?” And the good chairman said that his door is always open and that we can use any form or method of delivery of our proposal. Fax, Email, Telephone, or bring it to him directly. After that we exchanged a few pleasantries and the program ended.
It was a rather interesting experience overall. Admittedly I had not expected to be on the line directly addressing the Chairman Fernando himself, and to that I must give him props for being a stand up guy and speaking with both Nani, and I as well as our host Gerry.
Since it has come from him already, let’s make it a challenge, let’s come up with a concrete alternative for them to consider. If we really think this law sucks, which we do, then let’s offer them a solution, I know a lot of you have solutions and some of them I’m sure are doable and brilliant, now is the time to hear them, now is the time to help ourselves. If, after this, after presenting reasonable alternative measures and they still refuse then I think that is the time to act.
well said my friend. i second demotion what Boyg said. Lets help ourselves and find an alternative. As the Mr. Fernando told us that he is willing to hear our side why not start being constructive and give them something to think about.
We must not forget that riding is previlege
and not a right.
May I suggest to the the People concerned to make the issuance of motorcycle license be more stringent.
Hope Mr. Fernando is online and will read this.
Good thing he responded to your interview. Been asking people on the forum for solutions before even chairman Fernando thought about the crazy idea. 99% of the forumers agreed that law enforcers should just do their job and be more visible on the streets and improve their communication. mcpf told him this on our faxed, delivered and e mailed letter to him even before we visited his office. We also left that same original letter to his secretary after the interview. so what’s he saying that he’s been waiting for 2 weeks??
I read an article yesterday that sen. gordon wants to file a bill to give stiffer penalties for cell phone snatchers like 16 to 18 years. I like this idea better to teach those crooks a big lesson. You see Sen. Gordon was the first to think about putting plate on the helmet but mcpf just talked him out of it. so besides better law enoforcement , criminals should be penalized more heavily.
nice move Sir….
now that he had offer us for an alternative and if ever do some people na active po sa forums ng MCP, where po namin pwede ipadala mga suggestions or ideas regarding sa alternative law po?
So, if we can’t present a “better” alternative to this stupid ordinance then they will push through with their ordinance?
I’ve been talking to my friends who are non riders about this ordinance and 100% of them think that putting the plate number on the helmet is STUPID and SILLY and it won’t be the answer to the problem that the MMDA is trying to solve. I say there should be better law enforcement and maybe set up more check points to catch those criminals in motorbikes.
They should scrap the idea and go back to the drawing boards and come up with a better law. A law that wouldn’t be stupid and senseless. Just like painting barricades in pink and putting up signs that says “METRO GWAPO”. Do you think painting parts of Manila would make this city “GWAPO”?
I agree sa sinabi ni sir jojo. Much stiffer penalties lang sa mga crooks like bikenappers, holdapers, snatchers using motorcycles. And ofcourse police visibilty at paramihin lang sa kalsada ang motorcycle cops.
For me, this whole issue of this new ordinance is pre-mature to say the least. Already they cant even enforce the basic laws such riding w/ no helmet, & even laws regarding multi riders on a bike (Driver, Wife, 2-3 children all at once). How bout these violations. Let alone seeing the children & even the adults with no protective gears & covers whatsoever. Now their trying to pass a law thats not only only idiotic but also stupid. On this new ordinance, what about the question of multi MC ownership? How bout multi-helmet ownership as well?
good thing that someone from MCP were able to get a hold of him… if he’s asking for alternatives, then i have one in mind:
the concept of putting a sticker on to a helmet is in fact a stupid and illogical idea… almost all non-mcp riders that i have asked about this idea told me so… one reason that i have thought up is that the helmet is actually a separate accessory and not a permanent part of the vehicle so riders can opt to wear it or not when riding…
so my alternative would be… if the MMDA wants to see plate numbers on a viewable distance, why don’t we put it on the sides of the bike instead? sure, we may look like taxi cabs but since it’s our option how to put it, we can put our own little design to make it look better…. at least, traffic enforcers will still be able to identify the vehicle and we don’t have to but a second helmet if we have 2 or more bikes…
second, i would also agree that police visibility should be consistent within metro manila streets… one fact that we cannot deny is that no help is available when we need it… so to address the issue of lowering the crime rate, they should start on enforcing the law properly and having consistency on police visibility throughout metro manila…
sana lang walang discrimination, if you’re going to implement a law it should apply to all. so kung tayo lalagyan ng plate no. sa side ng helmet, dapat mga cars, suv’s, vans meron din plate no. sa side ng body. anyway ang main point lang nila is nagagamit madalas ang mga mc in committing crimes, so do cars, suv’s and vans.
1) Police Visibility : Even Mayor Lim agrees to this alternative. I have to admit when police are around kahit ako e nag-iingat sa aking pagmamaneho kahit wala akong dapat ikatakot at wala akong nagawang mali. I behave dahil kapag nagkamali ako ng daan or nagkamali ng liko napakalaking abala sakin ang mahuli at makuha pa ang lisensya. Kapag visible ang police people will think twice to do something bad.
2) Proper Implementaion of Law : Gaya nga ng sabi ng marami satin. Kung yung basic law hindi nila mapatupad bakit magdadagdag pa sila ng bago at illogical na batas. Kaya nasasayang ang oras ng mga law makers natin e.
3) Heavier Punishment : Tama si sir Jojo kasi nga kung mas mabigat ang parusa matatakot o hindi na gagawa ng masama ang iba dahil alam nila kung gano kabigat ang parusa.
4) Multiple Plates : Puwede rin nilang gawin yun they could issue us 2 more extra plate no. that will have to be displayed on each side of the MC its better naman kaysa sa helmet mo nakalagay diba. Or gaya ng sabi ni sir Rye Sticker sa side nalang ng MC natin at least nga naman magagawan pa natin ng magandang design.
5) Vigelance : This is not for MMDA but for MC users. Marami sa atin ang nagbubulag-bulagan or walang pakealam sa mga nangyayari sa paligid natin. Kaya tuloy nabibigyan ng masamang image ang mga MC riders. We have to learn and start to cooperate, communicate and contribute to law enforcement. They also need our help to prevent crime, hindi ko naman sinasabing habulin mo or labanan mo ang mga kriminal pero kung may alam ka at may nakikita kang masamang nangyayari identify the MC, person, plate, or kahit anong makakatulong sa ating mga police. That will also make criminals think twice dahil baka makilala sila ng ibang MC riders.
if you come to think of it, why do criminals prefer to use motorcycles in perpetrating their cowardly acts? simply because they can easily get through our horrendous traffic jams and get away as quickly as possible. why? because the mmda has been remiss on their job of ensuring the smooth flow of traffic. puro ningas cogon, media hype and tons of incredible and poorly conceived ideas. lets just go down to basic and address the delivery of needed services to the people. and while were at it, why not put more cops on roving patrols using motorcycles.
just, police visibility and in regards with police dapat dedicated sa work hindi puro kotong na sa isip. pag nahandiyan na yung crime wala yung mga hinayupak na police… ang dami natin batas pero number one naman violators sila lalo na sa traffic… they can’t distinguish red from green, they are ignorant with helmet law. didn’t register their mc kasi wala silang plate number. Mr. Fernando wala bang action about it? kung well implemented ang batas marami matatakot gumawa ng crime.
Simply put:
More police visibility – Sabi ni sir Raven P., mag dadalawang isip ang mga kriminal. Pwedeng matakot sila or totally ituloy yung gusto nila. But police presence could still do the job at least to somehow prevent a crime.
Treat all riders as equals – kahit mga riders na pulis (lalo na to!!), sundalo, magbobote, politiko, artista, estudyante, delvery boys, messengers, babae, lasing, mayaman, mahirap, scooter, bigbike, underbone, dapat pantay ang tingin. Sa checkpoint dapat lahat sila pinapahinto and tinitingnan lahat (OR/CR, u-box).Madalas porke pulis, or kakilala na walang helmet or plaka, papalagpasin na.
Strict enforcement of existing laws, not enforcement of new laws – enough said!!
Lahat dapat ng motor registered, ang dami nating nakikita na plates na police, city hall, mayor’s office, sheriff at kung ano-ano pa. Kung iisipin natin, pwede palitan tong mga plates na to with a numbered plate and voila!!! pwede na sakyan ng mga criminal… HOY HINIRAM NAMIN ‘TO KAY HEPE
my two cents.
STIFFER penalty on crimes committed using motorcycles. much heavier that those of cellphone snaching. plus the punishment for actual crime commited like robbery, murder etc.
REWARDS to mc riders or civillian that will be able to give any information leading for the arrest and bespeak for such commited crime using motorcycle.
well, just like the rest again and again. POLICE VISIBILTY and their intelligence.
gusto ko lang iparating sa MMDA kay Chairman Bayani Fernando na ang gusto nilang mangyari na lagyan ng number ang mga helmet o saang parti man ng motor ay hindi na dapat dahil nagbayad na tayo ng registration at yon ang katibayan natin sa plate number natin, dahil halimbawa kung ang isang masamang tao ay gagawa ng kasamaan pwedeng ilagay niya ang de tamang number sa helmet niya na pedeng gayahin sa mga motorista at magiging malaking problema sa isang may ari ng nagmomotor. natural ang mga authoridad ay naka focus na lang sa helmet at hindi na sa tamang plate number, siguradong lalong dadami ang krimin dahil sila na rin ang gumawa ng paraan para makagawa nang krimin masasamang tao…
mas marami pa rin ang mababait kaysa masasama kaya d dapat nilalahat ang mga motorista. hindi ang ganitong paraan para malutas nila ang krimin. katulad rin ng mga ginagamit na getaway car ng masasamang tao napapalitan ang tamang plate
number d ba mas madali magpalit ng number sa helmet. sana maliwanagan si Chairman at ang mga MMDA Council at ang PNP.
I am assuming na lahat kayo dito ay nakapag sign up na sa online petition. We’re trying to let our voices be heard against these unfair rulings against MC users by the MMDA
dapat tamper proof sticker na manggagaling sa MMDA or LTO para not anyone can make a sticker or else kanya kanya ang lagay niyan without any security features. bikenappers can just put a plate number of the motorcycle they want to steal ayun tapos na wala na
my #1 suggestion would be POLICE VISIBILITY and CHECKPOINTS @ STRATEGIC places
ang dami nating kapulisan… if only we could utilize them well, it would make the crooks think twice before they do something since they know that there may be a police just nearby
ride safe to all…
I think nothing will speak louder than ACTION. May I suggest that the MCPF, the various motorcycle and scooter clubs, and of course MCP, organize a peaceful and orderly ride to the MMDA headquarters along EDSA, BEFORE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE IN AUGUST.
At this point, and after having talked to MMDA Chairman Fernando in our radio program (KKK sa RJ, July 5, Thursday morning),with Bimbo Isidro and Nani Juarez, I am convinced that only a show of force and numbers, can stop or at least stall this ridiculous proposed law.
If there are any lawyers among us who can suggest a legal remedy to pre-empt the passage and implementation of this proposed ordinance – please come forward asap.
1. Daily “intensive” check points. how often do we encounter check points? when there’s asean summit? when certain terrorist acts happen? when rallies occur policemen sprout like beans. but on a daily basis how often do you see them in the streets? Intensive check points means you check and record identification, and even driving restrictions. if possible, include weapon detection. not just lame id and registration checking.
2. Instead of helmets, why not issue a sticker similar to the plate no. of the motorcycle that would be placed on the body(sides) of the motorcycle making it more difficult to hide/replace. authentication can also hinder falsification. produce sticker-plate numbers that have several levels of authenticity. This actually can also be implemented to all other vehicles, if you have a sticker plate no. posted in the upper area of your front and rear windshield, vehicle information is easily verified. it easier to see and will stay in good condition longer than the metal ones. metal plate nos. can easily be interchanged, sticker plate nos are not. i believe this will deter criminals from using stolen vehicles greatly.
3. fight fire with fire. designate more policemen in motorcycles. BUT they should use dirt bikes not xrm’s. instead of them patrolling in 2’s and 3’s inside a patrol car, one on each motorcycle would mean a greater area of coverage, and pursuit has a higher percentage of success since if one goes down, there are two more who could follow, unlike if they are all in one vehicle, once the vehicle gets stuck in traffic or bogs down, all of them becomes useless. furthermore, idling is minimized, since comfort is not the same like in the patrol car. and make them wear helmets for god’s sake, to serve as a good example and for their safety too!
just a few of the many ideas we could come up with. but if you really look at it, THE BASIC is still the best approach. if law enforcers just do their work right, there wont be any need for new laws. cause logic would insists, “if they cant even perform the basic, how do you expect them to succeed on a more complex task?”
this just came up.
4.(this actually points to LTO) OR/CR’s should have Authenticated copies. these copies are the ones the driver will present to law enforcers. not just lame xerox copies of oc/cr that can easily be altered. again, a level of security/authentication should be applied on the papers, providing difficulty in falsification. for motorcycles owners, whose vehicles are often borrowed, a list of authorized users should be specified(relatives, very close friends). this is actually beneficial to the owner, cause you’ll have a good reason to refrain from lending your ride without offending the borrower.