The Land Transportation Office has not yet enforced the law which prohibits children below 18 years old to ride motorcycles particularly those who are not yet able to securely place their feet on the vehicle’s foot rest, said a local LTO official.

LTO Tagbilaran information officer Florencio Balazuela told the Chronicle that they have not been issued a directive from the agency’s head office ordering the implementation of Republic Act 10666 or the Children’s Safety on Motorcycle Act of 2015.

Personnel of the LTO are still spreading information on the imminent application of the law, said Balazuela.

However, the RA has drawn flak from the public as motorists have pointed out that the two-wheel vehicle is the primary transportation means for many families in the country.

The issue was raised as the RA prohibits children from riding motorcycles particularly if their feet cannot reach the foot rest and they are unable to fully wrap their arms around the vehicle’s driver.

First time and second time violators will be fined P3,000 and P5,000, respectively.

Those who violate the law for the third time will be fined P10,000 while driver’s licenses of fourth time offenders will be revoked.

Outside Bohol, the LTO-7 has already started to impose the safety measure.

According to LTO-7 operations division chief Joel Maloloy-on, 9 motorcyclists have been apprehended for violating the law since it was enforced on May 19.

Meanwhile, Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act has also not yet been implemented in Bohol.

On May 23, the law’s imposition was suspended throughout the country pending the review of the legislation’s guidelines amid flak and confusion on its rules.

However, Balazuela said that they will still be apprehending motorists who are caught using their cellphones or other mobile devices while driving even amid the suspension.

Those caught for the violation will be issued a temporary operator’s permit and will be penalized for reckless driving. (Rey Tutas)