SEN. Raffy Tulfo yesterday urged authorities to come up with measures to prevent motorcycle riders from turning portions of the Marilaque (Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon) Highway into a racetrack amid the rising number of deaths due to road accidents in the area.
Tulfo said he has received numerous reports that riders have turned a portion of the highway in Tanay, Rizal into a venue to test their riding skills at high speed, adding this has led to accidents and even deaths
“Ginagawa nilang racetrack ‘yan,” he said “Pag buhay ng tao ang nakasalalay dito, I’ll be very dead serious (The riders are turning it into a racetrack…I’ll be very dead serious about it because this involves human lives.)”
He urged authorities to address the problem in five days during the hearing of the Committee on Public Services on Senate Bill No. 2410 or the Philippine Transportation Security Act.
Brig. General Reynaldo Pawid, deputy director of the PNP Directorate for Operations, said he will relay Tulfo’s concern with the Police Regional Office 4-A (Calabarzon) so it can act on the problem.
“I think sir, the Police Regional Office 4-A is aware of this but we will direct them again to intensify their presence in the area,” Pawid said.
Tulfo said the PNP should work closely with the local government of Tanay, Rizal and the Department of Public Highways, among other agencies, to ensure that riders will observe the proper speed limit and not perform stunts while cruising that part of the highway, especially on its curved portion where most accidents occur.
Atty. Gino Lavarias, of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, said they will call the attention of the concerned LGU to address the concerns.
TESDA-ACCREDITED MECHANICS
During the same hearing, Tulfo said the Land Transportation, Franchising, and Regularity Board should inspect passenger bus and cargo trucks’ motor pools to determine if they have mechanics certified by the Technical Education Skills Development Authority.
Tulfo made the pitch after reports hogged the headlines that most road accidents were due to a passenger bus or cargo truck’s malfunctioning brakes and other mechanical and engine problems while plying the road.
Transportation Undersecretary Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said the department will issue an order to expand the power of the LTFRB to inspect motor pools since the latter’s power is limited to inspecting transport terminals.
Tulfo said it is important that motor pools have mechanics certified by the TESDA as skilled in properly maintaining vehicles, and not employ individuals who became mechanics based on experience.
Ortega said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has ordered a strict implementation of RA 10916 or the Speed Limiter Act which has not been executed since its passage into law in 2016.
Ortega said the measure will require public utility trucks and buses to attach a gadget on their vehicles that will limit their speed to 90 kilometers per hour (kph) to minimize if not totally prevent accidents.