Duterte doesn't want child car seats law enforced yet, Bong Go says

President Rodrigo Duterte, himself, is not in favor of fully implementing the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act as the country still grapples with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, his former aide Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said Saturday.

“Nakausap ko si Pangulong Duterte, siya po mismo ayaw rin niyang i-implement ito,” Go said during state-run PTV’s Laging Handa briefing when asked about the controversial measure which requires children aged 12 years old and below to use car seats.

“Sabi niya, 'Not this time.' Hindi pa napapanahon na i-implement itong batas na to,” the senator said.

The Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act — signed into law by Duterte in February last year — mandates that children aged 12 and below use the child restraint systems (CRS) or car seats and are only allowed to take the front seat if they meet the 4'11' height requirement, on top of using the regular seat belt.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has already deferred the law’s full implementation as it will focus on information drive, in the next six months, instead of an outright apprehension or issuance of tickets against violators.

Under the implementing rules and regulations of the law, drivers found violating it will be fined P1,000 for the first offense; P2,000 for the second offense; and P3,000 and a one-year suspension of the driver's license for the third and succeeding offenses.

Exempted, however, are those cases that would put the child in greater danger such as during medical emergencies, when the child transported has a medical or developmental condition or other similar circumstances.

Manufacturers, distributors, importers, retailers, and sellers who violate the law -- in terms of safety standards and the regulation and requirements -- will be fined from P50,000 to P100,000 for every CRS product sold without prejudice to other penalties.

“Nagkakahirap hirap na ang Pilipino ‘wag na natin pahirapan pa. Darating din ang panahon na mai-implement ito dahil batas na po ito unless na i-amend,” Go said.

“Importante po ang information campaign. Ano ba ityo, bakit pinasa at ano ang mabuting idudulot nito para sa mga motorista,” he said. -MDM, GMA News