The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here called on Aklanons to have their motorcycles helmets certified in strict compliance with the use of standard protective helmets when driving.

        DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena Jr. issued this call even as the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has recently issued an order moving the implementation of Republic Act 10054 that mandates all motorcycle riders to wear standard protective helmets to January 1, 2013 instead of September this year.

        Cadena said Aklanons should not wait for the last minute to have their helmets certified.

        “They should take advantage of the fact that there are no charges now in having their helmets certified at DTI. If they are lucky, we can process their helmets right away, unlike in the early days before the postponement of the implementation when we have to schedule them in processing their applications”, Cadena said.

        Cadena, who aired this call as part of his report during a meeting of the Provincial Local Price Coordinating Council (PLPCC) meeting at the Conference Room of the GRQG Memorial Building here, also shared that presently, their office processes an average of 200 helmet evaluations.

        From July 6 to August 2, Cadena said the DTI has processed 2,317 helmet applications and has approved and issued 2,267 ICC stickers.

        The DTI has released 5,997 applications, while walk-in applicants reached 4,400.

        Of the applications, 50 outrightly failed in the evaluation.

        Helmets with brands not on the list of 60 certified brands, brands no longer visible or has no markings at all, helmets with missing parts although in the list of brands and cracked, dented and painted helmets are some of the reasons of failed applications, DTI-Aklan revealed.

        Of the 60 certified brands, Cadena said 59 are of foreign brands while only one brand is manufactured locally.

        The list of standard helmets came from the Bureau of Product Standards, DTI NCR and DTI Cebu.  (JSC/VGV-PIA 6 Aklan)