PILAR, Bataan — Motorcycle riders from Bataan on Sunday protested the provision of Republic Act 11235 or Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act on the double plates that they claimed pose hazard to riders and other motorists.
Honking horns, the riders traversed the MacArthur Highway from two points, from northern and southern Bataan, to the Flaming Sword Monument here.
At the historical marker that pays tribute to the bravery of Filipino soldiers during World War II, the riders shouted “No to Doble Plaka!”
Nikk Roden Valencia, president of Bataan Motorcycle Riders Federation, said riders join forces to bring to the attention of those concerned of their desire for the amendment of the law, especially on the double plate provision, in as much as it was already approved by President Duerte.
“Disappointed kami sa pagkakapasa ng batas na ito pero ganoon pa man nirerespeto namin ang ginawang approval ng Presidente. Nandito kami upang irequest na maamiyendahan ito,” he said.
Valencia said the double metal plate measuring about 250 millimeters by 220 mm is a safety hazard and a possible cause for accidents.
“Ito ay sadyang malaki na metal plates. Kapag ito ay nasa harapan ng motor at lumipad, asahan ninyo na may tatamaan,” he said, adding that the present plate was already okay for them.
“Walang sino mang kriminal ang gagamit ng totoong plaka at wala ring kriminal ang gagamit ng motor na may sariling pagkakakilanlan niya,” Valencia said on the claim that the new plates will be a deterrent to crime.
He said that their federation is composed of about 1,500 riders from the Bataan Motorcycle Riders Association and Bataan United Riders.