The House Committee on Transportation on Wednesday, February 10 reached a consensus to approve a bill that will defer the implementation of Republic Act 11229 or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicle Act.
In a committee hearing presided by its chairman, Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, the House panel supported the “noble objectives” of the law that was authored during the 17th Congress by then Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito.
However, Sarmiento, together with Deputy Speakers Rufus Rodriguez (CDI, Cagayan de Oro City) and Rodante Marcoleta (Sagip Partylist) and Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon, noted that implementation of the law is ill-timed because of the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic prevailing in the country.
Ejercito, who was invited as resource person in the hearing, aired the same view, saying that the public should understand that his legislative proposal was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 22, 2019.
“At the time it was deliberated in Congress, there was no pandemic yet. Neither did we foresee what was coming,” Ejercito explained.
The former senator stressed that enforcement of the law that mandates the installation of child restraints for children below 12 years old or under 4’11 in height who are passengers of a private vehicle.
Ejercito cited the “very noble intention” of RA 11299, stressing that “we consider saving the lives of children priceless.”
According to him the Philippine Statistics Authority has disclosed that vehicular accidents are the second cause of death of children in the country, with 671 children and infants perishing in 2018.
Land Transportation Office chief Asst. Secretary Edgar Galvante said the agency understands fully the concerns raised against the implementation of the law but stressed that they are not in a position to suspend enforcement.
“IN this case, there has to be a bill to be passed suspending the implementation of the law,” said Rodriguez as he cited the recent passage of bills authorizing President Rodrigo Duterte to suspend the implementation of the law mandating increases in membership premium paid to the Social Security System and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
Biazon, on the other hand, called for the inclusion of a provision that would require the LTO to put up fitting stations that will make sure the safe and correct installation of child safety seats or restraints.