Duterte stops implementation of Child Car Seat law, mandatory inspection of vehicles

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the stoppage of the implementation of the Child Car Seat law and the mandatory private motor vehicle inspection, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Thursday.

“Iyan po ang desisyon ng Presidente, binalanse po niya dahil nga sa pinagdadaanan na krisis na COVID-19,” Roque said during a Palace briefing.

The Department of Transportation earlier announced the deferment of the Child Car Seat law mandating restraint systems for children below 12 years old in private motor vehicles due to pending guidelines on how to implement it  amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Automotive industry organizations estimate the cost of each child car seat at P3,000 to as much as P30,000.

Reacting to the President's decision, Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez said the deferment would still require the enactment of a new legislation. 

He also hailed Duterte's decision over the matter.

"It’s Congress that passed the law requiring child car seats, and it’s Congress that can suspend its implementation," Rodriguez said in a statement.

On Wednesday, House Committee on Transportation Edgar Sarmiento said they would pass a bill that will defer the enforcement of the law.

Meanwhile, senators have also called for the scrapping of the roll out of 138 private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVIC) nationwide which would have imposed an inspection fee of P1,800 from vehicles weighing 4,500 kilograms or less.

If the vehicle fails the test, it will be required to undergo necessary repairs and taken back to the private inspection centers where the motorist is charged an additional P900 reinspection fee to obtain clearance.

Senators Grace Poe and Ralph Recto questioned the integrity of the scheme, citing that the public should not be further burdened by regulatory measures with questionable procedures, exorbitant fees with doubtful effectiveness, and implementation of policies without  proper public consultation.— with Anna Felicia Bajo/AOL/RSJ, GMA News