Benguet suspends mandatory use of visibility vest regulation

FOR VISIBILITY. A motorcycle rider in Baguio City shows a reflectorized raincoat that he uses for visibility, as afternoon rains and fog are common in Baguio and Benguet in this undated photo. Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas has suspended the ordinance mandating the use of visibility vests so inputs from the community could be included in the measure. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The mandatory wearing of the high visibility vest in Benguet has been suspended pending amendments to the ordinance.
    Governor Melchor Diclas, in Executive Order (EO) 2022-011, a copy of which circulated on Sunday (June 26), deferred the 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 along the national highway and on all provincial, municipal, and barangay roads within the province of Benguet.
    The EO said several stakeholders during the information education campaign conducted before the implementation of the ordinance raised issues 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  standard vests to be worn by bikers.
    "The implementation is hereby suspended pending amendment of the ordinance and until further notice," the order said.
    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 governor said in a message on Monday. -- PNA