ILOILO – The Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Office (LTO) should conduct a thorough review and information campaign before fully implementing the child car seat law and the new motor vehicle inspection scheme, according to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
The province’s legislative body passed a resolution urging (LTO) to defer the implementation of Republic Act 11229 or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act and the Motor Vehicles Inspection System (MVIS) “until clear cut guidelines and comprehensive information dissemination are put in place.”
Provincial Board member Ramon Sullano, who chairs the SP committee on transportation, communication and public utilities, said the new car seat law is “uncalled for especially amid the global health crisis.”
“Since it is a new measure, it needs to be thoroughly coordinated with the LTO and other agencies for more effective implementation,” Sullano said.
The new car seat directive made child restraint systems for child passengers mandatory in private vehicles to prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries.
While Sullano acknowledges this intention, he said these car seats for children could “pose an added financial burden” to owners.
On the other hand, Sullano continued, the new system on motor vehicle inspection needs to be “thoroughly reviewed” to create a “win-win situation” among the implementers and drivers especially with regard to fees and penalties.
Under this scheme, not less than 60 parts of the vehicle should pass the inspection to be done by private motor vehicle inspection centers.
Should one part fail, it must be replaced or repaired, then re-inspected.
Another inspection fee has to be paid for the second inspection – half of the amount paid for the first inspection – otherwise the vehicle won’t be able to proceed to registration.
“There are 23 under chassis parts to be checked and 17 above carriage parts to be inspected, including seatbelts. Tests to be conducted include sideslip test, suspension test, roller brake test, speedometer headlight, emissions and sound tests,” Sullano said.
“This representation has reservation if LTO is fully prepared for the new system including the inspection centers to cater to all registered vehicles in the city and province of Iloilo,” he added./PN
