Shimura to withdraw proposed ordinance that bans full face helmets for motorbikers

A screen grab of Sun Shimura’s Facebook post

Getting numerous negative feedback, both “violent and gentle,” on his proposed ordinance to ban the use of full face helmets in the province of Cebu, Provincial Board (PB) Member Sun Shimura decided to withdraw the measure.

Shimura, who had authored the proposal as a deterrent to crimes involving motorcycle-riding persons who hide their identities behind full face helmets, announced his decision to withdraw his proposed ordinance in a post on his Facebook page past 4 p.m. today.

“With my recent proposal on the provincial helmet ordinance (on 1st reading, past last monday), I got a lot of suggestions, reactions, both violent and gentle here in fb. I know and understand ur sentiments..To all the people, friends or not who sent me messeges here in fb, there’s a long way to go.. long process pa (unta). But since i am getting ur sentiments, suggestions and reactions right now, there’s no need for public consultation anymore (wc should be the next step), coz ur already voicing ur sides wc represents the public. I will be pulling out my proposed ordinance (on 1st reading) by monday. Manifest more police visibity on the street (as suggested). thanks for your opinions and your time. It just shows that we are all in this together for a better CEBU!” Shimura said.

(With my recent proposal on the provincial helmet ordinance [which underwent first reading last Monday], I got a lot of suggestions, reactions, both violent and gentle here on Facebook. I know and understand your sentiments. To all the people, friends or not who sent me messages here on Facebook, there’s a long way to go, the ordinance was suppose to still undergo a lot of process. But since I am getting your sentiments, suggestions and reactions right now, there’s no need for public consultation, which should have been the next step after the ordinance passed the first reading, because you’re already voicing your sides which represents the public. I will be pulling out my proposed ordinance by Monday. Manifest more police visibility in the street as suggested. Thanks for your opinion and your time. It just shows that we are all in this together for a better Cebu!)

In a phone interview, Shimura stressed that the proposed ordinance was still a long way from being implemented since it was supposed to still to go through several procedures, including a consultative meeting with stakeholders and a public hearing before it could even be deliberated by the PB.

SHIMURA

With the latest development, Shimura said he was compelled to act on it at once.

“Mu-manifest ta (We will manifest) that I will be withdrawing that (ordinance),” he said.

Shimura said for an ordinance that went through first reading, a manifestation to withdraw is not really necessary but he wants the motorists to be assured that he will no longer be pursuing the ordinance.

Shimura, who heads the PB Committee on Public Safety, Peace and Order, said that in addition to withdrawing the proposed measure, he will manifest an incidental motion or resolution that will instead request the Philippine National Police to strengthen their checkpoints and increase police visibility on the roads.

The ordinance underwent first reading in last Monday’s (November 28) PB session.

In the measure, Shimura said that while motorists are required to wear half face helmets, he also believed that “road safety is not dependent on the protective equipment worn by a motorcycle rider but on how disciplined he is on the road.”

Shimura added that most extrajudicial killings were committed by motorcycle-riding gunmen in full face helmets to hide their identity, thus making it difficult for authorities to apprehend them and serve justice to their victims.

Had the ordinance passed, violators would have faced a maximum fine of P5,000 and/or imprisonment of 30 days and revocation or perpetual non-renewal of the license.