World-Class Davao Chocolate Firm to Launch New Products at IFEX Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

One of the chocolate firm that is shaping Davao to become the ‘Cacao Capital of the Philippines’ is launching their new line of ‘fruity and sustainable’ couverture chocolates at the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines on May 19-21 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

“For this year’s IFEX, we’re developing products using local fruits to help promote sustainability and inclusive growth in our area,” said Malagos Agri-Ventures Corporation’s sales and marketing head Rex Victor Puentespina. “Ayun din naman ang campaign nggovernment, to help development in the countryside so we want to use local products in Davao.”

Aside from their new product line, the Davao-based company will also offer neatly packaged dark chocolates ranging from varying rate of cacao concentration—100% Unsweetened, Malagos 85% Dark Chocolate, Malagos 65% and Malagos 72%. They will also sell roasted cacao nibs and dried fermented cacao beans, as well as quality cacao seedlings, seeds, scions.

Law Banning Small Children from Riding Motorcycles to Take Effect on May 19

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The law banning small children from riding motorcycles as passengers shall be implemented starting on May 19, Friday.

Under Republic Act 10666 or Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015, two-wheeled motorcycle riders may not be allowed to drive a motorcycle with a small child on board. The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) stipulate that only children whose feet can reach the foot peg, could wrap their arms around the driver’s waist, and wears protective gear such as a helmet may be allowed to ride on a motorcycle with an adult.

The law covers all public roads, including roads where there is a heavy volume of vehicles, where there is a high-density of fast-moving vehicles, or where the speed limit is more than 60kph. An exception applies only to cases where a child to be transported requires immediate medical attention.

Violators will be fined PHP 3,000 on their first offense, PHP 5,000 on their second offense, and PHP 10,000 on their third offense and suspension of driver’s license for a month. Beyond the third offense, violators will have their licenses revoked.

The Department of Transportation believes that this proactive and preventive approach will secure the safety of passengers, especially children. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) shall be the lead implementing agency and may deputize traffic enforcers and Local Government Units (LGUs) to implement the law.

RA 10666 was signed on July 21, 2015 but was only implemented now upon the aggressive push of Secretary Art Tugade.

According to the World Health Organization, in its 2015 Global Status Report on Road Safety, 53% of reported road fatalities in the Philippines involved motorcycle riders.

Law Prohibiting ‘Distracted Driving’ to be Fully Enforced on Thursday

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Fifteen days after the publication of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the law prohibiting forms of distracted driving for both public and private vehicles shall take full effect on Thursday, May 18.

The Anti-Distracted Driving (ADD) Law under Republic Act 10913 describes “distracted driving” as the performance by motorists of any acts on the usage of their mobile communication devices, electronic entertainment and computing gadgets or devices while vehicles are in motion or temporarily stopped on a traffic light or an intersection. A motorist, as defined under this law, is a person who is driving a motor vehicle.

Such prohibited acts made while driving include but not limited to: making or receiving calls, writing, sending or reading text-based communications, playing games, watching movies, performing calculations, reading e-books, composing messages, and surfing or browsing the internet.

Motorists, however, are allowed to apply hands-free function or applications in the use of such devices or gadgets so long as these do not interfere with their line of sight.

This new law is a preventive measure to avoid or lessen accidents and injuries from happening while promoting road safety and responsible driving among our motorists.

Aside from public and private vehicles, this law also covers wheeled agricultural machineries, construction equipment, and other forms of conveyances such as bicycles, pedicabs, trolleys, “habal-habal”, “kuligligs”, wagons, carriages, and carts that may either be, human-powered or pulled by an animal, as long as the same are operated or driven in public thoroughfares, highways or streets.

This law takes exemption when motorists use their mobile phones in making or taking an emergency call from/to: a law enforcement agent/agency to report a crime or prohibited act, accident, natural calamity, bomb threat, terrorist activities and the like; a government or non-government medical or health care provider on emergency and rescue situations; or to a fire department in cases of fire or explosion.

Violators will be penalized with a fine of five thousand pesos (Php5,000) for the first offense, ten thousand pesos (Php10,000) for the second offense, and fifteen thousand pesos (Php15,000) for the third offense with a three-month suspension of driver’s license. Violations incurred beyond the third offense shall be penalized with the revocation of driver’s license and a fine of twenty thousand pesos (Php20,000).

Owners and operators of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) and commercial vehicles found in violation of the said Act shall both be held liable.

The DOTr - Land Transportation Office (LTO) is the lead implementing agency of the Act. The LTO also has the authority to deputize members of the PNP, MMDA, and LGUs to carry out enforcement functions and duties.