Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION No. 2123
______________________________
RESOLUTION
DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE CONCERNS CAUSED BY THE INCREASING NUMBER OF MOTORCYCLE USERS
IN THE PHILIPPINES
WHEREAS, on Oct. 24, 2011, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) started fully enforcing the use of motorcycle lanes in Commonwealth Avenue and the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, requiring motorcycle riders to take the first lane from the sidewalk in Macapagal, and the fourth in Commonwealth. Those traveling outside the so-called “blue lanes,” as they are marked, are now being charged with a P500 fine, besides being required to attend on on-the-spot seminar;
WHEREAS, on the day of its implementation, a motorcycle riders’ group Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO), through its chair Jobert Christian Bolanos, filed for the issuance of a temporary restraining order on the enforcement of motorcycle lanes at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. Bolanos cited safety, constitutionality and lack of consultation as reasons for opposing the scheme. The MRO also questioned the basis for the scheme, citing the fact that it is supposedly based on an ordinance promulgated by Quezon City and Pasay;
WHEREAS, MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said the motorcycle lanes are not exclusive to motorcycles and that other vehicles may occupy the lane in case other lanes are full. However, motorcycles cannot leave their designated lane. In a position paper addressed to the MMDA, Bolanos wrote, “Imposing a 100 meter rule for the motorcycles to move out of their lane to cross 4 other lanes to get to a u-turn slot is near impossible. It can only happen when there are hardly any other vehicles along the road or if the rider attempts an extremely dangerous maneuver across the highway.” He also said that it is also difficult and dangerous for them to maneuver and drive in the lane as PUVs, trucks and other vehicles cross their lane;
WHEREAS, the motorcycle riders said they are amenable to the motorcycle lane only if the infrastructure supports it and the conditions are ideal. According to a 2005 study by Engrs. Ricardo Sigua and Hilario Sean Palmiano from the University of the Philippines, “The rule of assigning lanes to vehicle type is applied all throughout the whole stretch of the road, even at the intersection approach. This rule creates a major problem on turning vehicles – cars turning right conflict with motorcycles going straight or turning left; motorcycles turning left conflict with cars going straight or turning right. The problem is compounded when the number of turning cars or motorcycles becomes large;”
WHEREAS, MMDA said data from their Road Safety Unit show that accidents involving motorcycles have increased in Metro Manila, from 12,656 accidents and 104 fatalities in 2008 to 16,208 accidents and 177 fatalities in 2010;
WHEREAS, motorcycle riders are also calling for the government to focus on the education and training of drivers in the long run. They said the “indiscriminate issuance of R1 licenses to unqualified riders” should be stopped, as well as the strict enforcement of laws to all drivers, regardless of vehicle;
WHEREAS, in addition to the motorcycle lane, MRO is concerned with other local ordinances such as the one already in effect in Baguio, requiring motorcycles to follow a “color-coding” scheme. They complain that enforcers remove the plates of parked motorcycles supposedly violating the scheme, regardless if the drivers are aware of the local ordinance or not. Other ordinances proposed include: (1) mandatory wearing of a vest with plate number in Marikina, (2) prohibition of having a male “backride” in Manila, penalty is a P3,000 fine or 30 days imprisonment, and (3) banning of full face helmets and balaclava (cloth headgear) also in Manila. Besides entailing additional costs, motorcycle riders lament the lack of proper public consultations. Instead of having confusing and inconsistent local ordinances, Congress should pave the way for a national law that is responsive to the needs of motorcycle riders and the rights of pedestrians and other motorists;
WHEREAS, the use of motorcycles have been increasing exponentially in Asian countries because it is a cheaper and a gas-efficient alternative to four-wheeled vehicles. A large number of the workforce rely on motorcycles to get to work. According to LTO data, motorcycles, with 3.48 million registered in 2010, have already outnumbered cars (808,000) and PUVs (1.7 million). It is in this light that the group MRO has expressed concern that motorcycle riders should probably have their own set of road regulations and licensing tests given their large number and the slightly different nature of their vehicles;
WHEREAS, it is time that government seriously consider the implications of a growing motorcycle population in the country, as well as address problems of corruption which continues to hamper the education and discipline of the motorcycle-riding community. Government should dialogue with these motorcycle riders’ groups to help address their concerns;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Committee on Transportation, conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the concerns caused by the increasing number of motorcycle users in the Philippines.
Adopted,
TEDDY A. CASIÑO
Bayan Muna Party-list
No comments:
Post a Comment