Benguet Gov. Diclas Suspends “Vest Ordinance” for Bikers

June 21, 2022430 views0

Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas issued an order on Tuesday suspending the mandatory wearing of high visibility vests for motorcycle riders.

The provincial ordinance, requiring all drivers and riders of motorcycles, tricycle, e-bike, and bicycles to wear high visibility vests while traveling along the roads within the province of Benguet, was passed on May 23, 2022 by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The ordinance was aimed to reduce the number of deaths and accidents involving motorcycles by 50% in accordance with the Sustainable Development goals.

As per Executive Order No. 2022-011, Provincial Ordinance No. 2022-302 is suspended, effective immediately until further notice.

According to Gov. Diclas, the suspension is due to the Information Education Campaign (ICE) recently conducted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on June 13, 2022, wherein concerns, comments, and recommendations were presented by the stakeholder involved. The Provincial Governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will therefore take the stakeholders’ various input into consideration for incorporation into the ordinance.