‘Mabalin makulong (ti Parents) nu diay ubing da na-involve ti aksidente wenno adda violations da’ – HPG PSSg Pelobello on liabilities of allowing minors to ride motorcycles

Tabuk City, Kalinga – For many students in Kalinga today, riding motorcycles has become the most convenient way to get to school, especially for those living in far-flung areas with limited transportation options.

Police Staff Sergeant Omar A. Pelobello of the Provincial Highway Patrol Group (HPG-Kalinga) said this is the most common reason parents cite for allowing their children to ride motorcycles.

Despite the good intention, HPG personnel expressed concern over the safety of young people in the province, noting that most of the motorcycle accidents recorded in recent years involved minors.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Pelobello said seven out of ten motorcycle accidents involved minors.

Nationwide, the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) reported in 2024 that approximately 31,000 motorcycle accidents were documented across the country, with most riders involved being young adults aged 18 to 25 and minors under 18 years old.

For this reason, Pelobello renewed the HPG’s reminder to parents in Kalinga that while motorcycles provide a fast and affordable means of transportation for their children, allowing minors to ride comes with legal liabilities under existing laws.

The HPG officer explained that parents who give consent for their children to ride motorcycles may be held accountable under Presidential Decree 603, or the The Child and Youth Welfare Code.

Under the law, parents of children involved in motorcycle accidents or caught committing traffic violations may face fines and imprisonment of two to six months. Other laws prohibiting minors from driving include Republic Act No. 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code) and provisions of the Revised Penal Code, among others.

“During lectures mi, ti sungbat ti parents nu damagem mi nu apay nga iyalaan da motor dagijay ubing, kunada nga means of transportation da kasi nagina ti pamasahe ken convenient da, awan kanu agbibiahe diay ayan da. Maawatan tayo met dayta, pero kunak, haan da koma lipatan ti responsibilidad da kas parents. Haan kami met nga nagkurang ti kasjay nga bagbaga kanyada,” Pelobello relayed.

When asked whether parents are aware of these liabilities, the law enforcer said most of them know there are consequences but lack knowledge about the specific penalties.

“Kasi idi dinamag ko before nga agproceed nak diay lecture ko, idamag ko nu ammo yo ba ti liabilities ti parents—ammo yo ba ti mapasamak nu mainvolved ti anak tayo iti accident wenno adda violation na. Mostly ammo da met (they are aware), ngem haan da ammo nga adda ti fines ken makulong da. Mabalin makulong (ti Parents) nu diay ubing da na-involve ti aksidente wenno adda violations da,” he added.

Pelobello reiterated that the goal of the HPG is not to punish children but to protect them from road accidents. He also reminded riders not to drive without a helmet and driver’s license to avoid penalties and, more importantly, to ensure their safety.