Solon suggests use of body cams in motorcycle taxis

A lawmaker on Tuesday suggested the installation of body cameras in motorcycle taxis to ensure the safety of riders and commuters.

The House Committee on Transportation's technical working group is discussing several measures pushing for the classification of motorcycle taxis as public utility vehicles.

Isabela Representative Antonio "Tonypet" Albano recommended that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) should include in the guidelines the use of body cameras for the welfare of riders and commuters.

Albano pointed out that the use of body cams can help in preventing harassment incidents and may also be utilized when a road accident happened.

"To put in their guidelines the importance of putting body and helmet cams because there seems to be a lot of reports that I get from my office and personal text messages from my constituents about some of the harassment sometimes or accidents that happen especially that motorcycle vehicles have the tendency na 'pag naaksidente po, napepeligro," Albano said during the TWG meeting.

Crimes could also be reported through the help of these body cameras, according to the lawmaker.

Albano said body cameras are required in other countries for riders to get a license or to operate.

In response, Attorney April Casabuena of the LTO said they will discuss the proposal.

"We will discuss about it and try to include this in the guidelines," she said. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News