Police in Dinagat Islands give away crash helmets to motorbike riders
By Renelle Escuadro
The campaign of the Police Community
Affairs and Development Unit of the Dinagat Islands Mobile Force Platoon is
dubbed as “Helping Every Local Motorcycle Riders and Ensure Travel Safety or
Helmets was implemented on Jan. 12 at Sitio Glen, Brgy. DoΓ±a Helene, Basilisa,
Dinagat Islands.
Markleo Casingsing Caballero was
anxious after he was flagged down at the police checkpoint. He was not wearing
a helmet. While he thought he would be getting a citation ticket, he was
instead given a new and standard helmet.
“Nagpasalamat ko sa Dinagat Islands
pulis kay naa na koy helmet, safe na akong pag-drive [Thank you, Dinagat
Islands police, for the free helmet; it’s safe to drive now],” Caballero
expressed his gratitude.
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| At a recent police checkpoint in Basilisa, PDI, Markleo Casingsing Caballero was flagged down by a police officer because he was driving a motorcycle without a helmet. Photo of PIA Caraga. |
Caballero as well as the other riders
who were stopped for not wearing helmets were made to listen to a safety
reminder and a brief explainer on the provisions of Republic Act No. 10054 or
the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009.
According to Major Ruel B.
Saliba, force commander of DIPMFP, the Project Helmets started in 2020. Under
the program, they give away two helmets in a month.
“We still continue to reprimand
drivers without helmets, as this is part of law enforcement. However, instead
of instilling fear in people, Project Helmets considered cops as enablers,”
PMaj. Saliba said.
“We also understand those who cannot
afford to purchase a helmet which is why we are trying our best to help them
get one to better promote road safety. This is the reason why the island
province has a very low crime rate on road violations and accidents,” Saliba
shared.
“We are thankful to the Dinagatnons for their high respect for police officers, and we have sustained this level of respect. They listen to us, which is why this is a peaceful province. We are drug-free and insurgency-free, and we lead in hotline awareness and safety metrics in the latest survey in Caraga region,” Saliba added.
Republic Act No. 10054, or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009, mandates the use of standard protective motorcycle helmets by anyone aboard two-wheelers—both drivers and passengers. It also provides specific penalties for its violation. (RLE/PIA Dinagat Islands)
