CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminded yesterday motorcycle riders in Central Luzon that they have only until December 28 to have their helmets marked with Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers.
DTI regional information officer Wilfred Carbonell said his agency will be processing ICC sticker applications for free until the end of the year, even as he warned that starting the first day of 2013, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) would clamp down on violators with stiffer penalties.
“After Dec. 28, all riders including the backriders are obliged to wear ICC-marked helmets as part of the campaign to curb the rising number of deaths in motorcycle accidents that is frequently caused by the absence or substandard protective gears,” he said.
Tricycles and other similar modes of transportation such as pedicab, however, are not covered by such imposition, Carbonell noted.
He also noted that while the law requires that all helmets sold starting 2012 must bear the ICC mark, most motorcycle riders in Central Luzon use helmets without the stickers.
“For motorcycle riders whose helmets were purchased prior to 2012, they are required to go to the nearest DTI office to obtain the ICC sticker,” he added.
He warned that the Land Transportation Office will begin to clamp down on violators on the first day of 2013 and impose stiffer penalties.
