Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) traffic czar Bong Nebrija
In a Facebook post Tuesday that appeared to be a light if not comedic commentary on the enforcement of Republic Act (RA) No.11229 or the Child Car Seat Law, Nebrija wrote a “then and now” scenario to illustrate how common families are impacted by the law.
“Then ‘Yaya kandungin mo si baby’…Now ‘Yaya put the baby in the child car seat’ ….Mas sosyal na tayo ngayon pero di na kasya si Yaya sa kotse (Then: ‘Nanny please hold the baby on your lap’… Now: Nanny put the baby in the child car seat’ ….We’re more affluent now but Nanny can’t fit in the car anymore),” he said.
(JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
LTO Law Enforcement Service Acting Director, lawyer Clarence Guinto made this remark during a DZMM interview wherein the radio anchor asked him what the proper recourse would be if child restraints make the car too cramped for big or tall children.
“Kung 12-years-old sobrang tangkad, lalagyan ng booster (CRS) tatama ulo sa kotse, hindi ba delikado? (If there’s very tall 12-year-old and you place a booster under his seat, wouldn’t that be dangerous because his head will hit the roof of the car)?” asked anchor Amy Perez, who is a mother.
“Tama po yun. Siguro laki-lakihan mo yung sasakyan mo (That’s correct. You should use a bigger car),” Guinto said.
February 1, 2021
The government would implement the Child Car Seat Law or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act starting Tuesday, February 2.
The requires private vehicles to put restraint systems for child passengers to prevent injury and deaths in case of a crash.
Under the Child Car Seat Law, kids 12 years old and below are required to be in a child restraint device or a baby seat.
The law also prohibits children to sit in the front seat. However, if the child is 12 years old and above and is 150 centimeters, they could sit in front provided they could be secured properly by the seatbelt.
Published February 1, 2021, 5:09 PM
Land Transportation Office (LTO) National Capital Region Director Clarence Guinto apologized Monday afternoon over his suggestion that Filipino families should use larger cars in order to ensure compliance with a law requiring specialized car seats for children aged 12 and younger.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“I am sorry for the confusion I have caused with my remark, which was made in jest. I realize now that it was inappropriate,” Guinto said in a statement released on LTO’s social media channels.
Guinto drew flak from netizens after a clip of his interview over DZMM radio on the subject of child restrain systems (CRS) went viral.