BAGUIO CITY (PNA) – The mandatory wearing of high visibility vest in Benguet has been suspended pending amendments to the ordinance.
Gov. Melchor Diclas, in Executive Order (EO) 2022-011, a copy of which circulated Sunday, June 26, deferred Ordinance 2022-302 passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in May 2022.
The ordinance requires all drivers and riders of motorcycles, tricycles, e-bikes, and bicycles to wear high visibility vests while traveling on the national highway and all provincial, municipal, and barangay roads within Benguet.
The EO said several stakeholders during the information education campaign conducted before the implementation of the ordinance raised issues that are worth adding to the ordinance.
Concerns have been raised on the time of wearing of the vest between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.; the fines and penalties to be imposed, including community service; and the standard vests to be worn by bikers.
"The implementation is hereby suspended pending amendment of the ordinance and until further notice," Diclas said in the order.
The legislative body passed the ordinance to prevent road accidents caused by fog, a common occurrence in the province that decreases visibility.
"The concerns are valid, that is why we asked the provincial board to include them in the amendment," the Benguet governor said in a message Monday, June 27.