The Department of Transportation on Tuesday called for the deferment of the full implementation of a law requiring child car seats to give the public more time to prepare.
The law was set for mandatory compliance from Feb. 2. While there will be no arrests during a transition period of at least three months, violators will be given information materials.
"However, in consideration of the current pandemic, and until a comprehensive information, education, and communications (IEC) campaign is executed in close coordination with NGOs, CSOs, and agencies such as PIA, DepEd and DOH, the DOTr and LTO favor the deferment of its full implementation in terms of enforcement," the DOTr said in a statement.
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An enforcement and planning workshop for the implementation was scheduled in March last year but was canceled due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
"Part of the planned IEC campaign is the roll out of the information regarding the law, targeting teachers/school officials, children, medical practitioners and manufacturers/retailers/importers, among others. With the lockdown and limitations in the conduct of activities and travel, the initial plan to conduct a nationwide IEC did not push through," it said.
"Currently, the LTO is in the process of finalizing enforcement protocols, considering that special training is needed due to the involvement of children," it said.
