Bonnet measure amendments pass 1st reading

CEBU, Philippines — A proposed measure that seeks to amend an ordinance banning motorcycle riders in Mandaue City from using bonnets and face masks was passed on first reading on Tuesday.

The proposed amendment aims to cut the penalty against violators from the existing P5,000 to P500 and provides more specifics compared to the original ordinance.

Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna said Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing requested the City Council to amend the existing law following concerns raised by the public.

Based on the proposed amendments, “all adult  male drivers  of motorcycles, as well as all adult male backriders and/or passengers thereof travelling or plying within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Mandaue are hereby prohibited from wearing balaclava or ski masks (commonly known as bonnet) and all other masks, except surgical masks.”

“Female drivers and passengers and minor children may wear all types of face masks except balaclava or ski masks,” it read.

Tricycles will now also be excluded from the ordinance since most shooting incidents involve riding-in-tandem assailants who use motorcycle.

The amended ordinance proposes a new set of penalties against violators: P500 for first-time offenders; P1,000 for second-time offenders; and P1,500 for third.

Meanwhile, Elaine Bathan, Quisumbing’s chief of staff, said the changes were made after concerns were brought up by the public, as well as the netizens, who found some provisions of the existing ordinance rather harsh.

Bathan reiterated that the goal of the existing ordinance and its amended form is to help authorities in investigating shootings perpetrated by assailants wearing face masks and the like.

“The City of Mandaue would like to thank the public for their cooperation and patience while we implemented the ordinance. Crime statistics for the last week dipped significantly for Mandaue,” said Bathan.

“However, we recognize that there are legitimate concerns raised and we feel these amendments will properly strike the balance between public comfort, health, and public safety.”

In the neighboring city of Lapu-Lapu, officials have welcomed the scheduled stricter implementation of a 2009 ordinance that prohibits the use of tinted helmets, bonnets, and masks.

City Traffic Management Systems chief Mario Napule said full implementation starts April 1.

CTMS, in coordination with Lapu-Lapu City Police Office’s Traffic Enforcement Unit, has made a 15-day information drive for motorcycle riders to know more about the existing ordinance.

Napule said 80 CTMS personnel, members of the city of Lapu-Lapu Allied Force, and LCPO-TEU, will be deployed to help in the implementation. —JMD (FREEMAN)