JV Ejercito proposes use of RFID stickers instead of ‘Doble Plaka’ in motorcycles
November 29, 2023
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito stressed
the need to prioritize addressing the backlog of plate numbers for motorcycles
as a crucial measure for crime prevention, asserting its importance over the
debate on having two plates.
“Sa akin po, para ma-prevent natin ang crime,
mas importante na lahat ng motor mabigyan ng plate number kaysa po bigyan sila
ng dalawang plaka na hindi naman po natin ma-supply,” Ejercito emphasized.
“It's a very big problem that we need to
address very soon na talagang matapos na ang backlog natin because I think that
is the most important– to identify all motorcycle riders,” he noted.
Under the Republic Act No. 11235 or the
Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, it mandates placing an additional license
plate on the front of motorcycles as a way to prevent crimes committed by
persons riding on motorcycles.
At a Senate hearing on proposed amendments to
the “Doble Plaka” law on Wednesday, Ejercito proposed the installation of Radio
Frequency Identification System (RFID) stickers instead of license plates on
the front of motorcycles.
As a fellow motorcycle rider, the lawmaker
from San Juan underscored that using RFID and scanners enhances the convenience
for both riders and law enforcers, while also contributing to crime prevention.
“Hopefully, in the future, kapag napondohan na
natin ito, this will also act as an anti-carnapping mechanism as it will really
prevent a lot of crimes. It will be hitting two birds with one stone,” he said.
“I don’t think anyone in his right mind would
use his personal motorcycle for any crime, ‘no? So siguro walang nasa tamang
pag-iisip non ‘iyong gagamit na mayroong properly identified.”
Based on his proposed amendment, the RFID
stickers shall contain basic information about the owner and the motorcycle,
and shall be readable by scanner. It should not disturb the aero dynamicity and
maintain the structural integrity of the motorcycle as well.
Acknowledging the sentiments of fellow riders,
the lawmaker also highlighted the need to adjust the penalties to a justifiable
level, considering the high costs involved.
Ejercito believes that fines should be lowered
not only because the possible would-be violators are poor, but because it is
not at par with the fines imposed to a car owner with the same violation
His proposed bill also aims to remove the
penalty of imprisonment for violation of Republic Act No. 11235.
Ejercito
hopes for the swift passage of the amendment to resolve the backlog issue.