LTO regulation: Absurd, illogical

I am inclined to seek a permanent injunction against this LTO regulation (AHS-2008-015) because, it seeks to ram through our throats certain provisions which are not only unclear, but absurd, illogical, impractical, and inapplicable to local conditions.
This LTO regulation was crafted without consulting a cross section of Philippine society, particularly the economically marginalized.
Take for example the requirement for helmets.
The LTO regulation states that: “Standard helmet” shall mean the protective helmet approved by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with PNS-UNECE 22 marking.
Now what animal is this “PNS-UNECE 22″
Does any one know what this mean?
I myself didn’t know this, until I had to research its meaning in the internet.
PNS means “Philippine National Standard”
UNECE means “United Nations Economic Commission on Europe”
This regulation is rammed through our throats without a deliberative process so all stakeholders can participate.
This is undemocratic.
Look at the provision on “protective devices”:
“Protective devices” shall include helmet, goggles, leather boots and protective clothing such as heavy pants, heavy jackets, leather gloves and rain suit.
What is meant by “heavy pants”?
What is meant by “heavy jackets”?
So how many kilos would constitute "heavy"?
Do we have to weigh our outfits—pants and jackets—before we drive our motorcycles, so as to be compliant with the LTO regulation?
And there is an addition: “rain suit”
So try to imagine yourself, complying to-the-letter with this LTO regulation.
Try imagining yourself wearing a helmet, goggles, heavy pants (is the regulation endorsing Levi’s jeans?), a heavy jacket, leather gloves and leather boots, plus a rain suit.
How would you look?
Just try wearing them all, each time you ride your motorcycle.
Better practice it now.
There is another LTO provision that requires motorcycle drivers to turn on the headlight anytime of the day while in the highway (Section VIII).
Why will you turn on the headlight at high noon?
Can somebody explain that?
Next, there is a provision in the LTO that says:
“Any modification of the original standard design of a motorcycle or scooter shall first be subject to the approval of LTO and the DTI.”
But isn’t the motorcycle private property?
I have to ask permission from the government if I want to do something to my private property?
Suppose I want to place a basket on the front of my motorcycle below the headlight, where I can place books, grocery items, so I wouldn’t be holding them while driving. Do I have to ask permission from the government/LTO?
Suppose I want to install an anti-hand perspirant around the motorcycle's grip, because my hands easily sweat, and get slippery. Do I have to ask permission from government/LTO?
Suppose I want to install a muffler to lessen the noise of the motorcycle. Do I have to ask permission from the government/LTO?
There are some people who love to just follow
any government regulation hook-line-and-sinker, no matter how absurd and illogical.
Well, I respect them.
They probably are fans of the governments of China, and monarchies ruled by dictators and kings like Saudi Arabia.
But not in the Philippines, my friend.
The people here demand that they be allowed to join in the deliberative processes, in the formulation of laws and regulations.
People here are allowed to question, to reason, to discuss, to debate in the marketplace of ideas, so we can come up with better laws.
Why, we can even freely write our comments on websites, like the the Negros Chronicle.
Try doing that in Egypt or China and chances are, you’ll be jailed.
It has happened to bloggers there.
That is the reason why I question this LTO regulation because most of its provisions do not make sense to me.
Don’t make me follow a regulation that cannot be understood.
Don’t make me follow a regulation that is devoid of reason and logic.
Don’t make me follow a regulation that is vague.
It just doesn’t happen in the Philippines.