Some parents are worried about the cost of buying a car seat for their children now that the law mandating the protection of children in vehicles is set to be implemented on Tuesday.
Gilbert Beundor could not figure out how to transport the children in their MPV or minivan now that the children have to use the child restraint system every time they are in the car.
His children, who are both 8 years old, are not only one, but triplets, covered by Republic Act No. 11229 o Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act.
“Meron po akong dalawang teenager. Meron din po akong triplets. Kung ‘yung tatlong ito kailangang magkaroon ng car seat, saan ko na po isasakay ‘yung dalawang teenager ko kasama pa ‘yung asawa ko at ‘yung kasama pa namin sa bahay? Itong ganitong kalalaking bata hindi na kailangan. It will only occupy space,” said Beundor.
Under the law, children 12 and under must be placed in the restraint system. However, children that are about 4.92 feet can be wearing a seat belt.
Marinel Panganiban, on the other hand, used to use a car seat for her child but since she now has two children and a niece, they have removed the children’s car seat.
Some parents worry about cost of buying child car seat
Even though their car is said to be an AUV, there is still not enough space if 2 children have a car seat.
“Madami kasi kami sa pamilya eh… Okay lang kung lalagyan ng car seat kaya lang papaano ‘yan, sa’n na sasakay ‘yung matatanda? Kahit bata ito kailangan ng supervision ng matatanda,” she said.
Aside from the space, it also hurts the pockets of families like them to buy a car seat that is at least P3,000 if brand new.
So instead of spending this pandemic, Panganiban and Beundor will not just go out.
“Siguro hindi na lang din lalabas… Paano kung may pupuntahan kami mga party, mga outing? Eh di hindi na kami magkakasya kasi may car seats sa likod? Maiiwan ‘yung iba kawawa naman eh lahat kami sa pamilya invited,” said Panganiban.
“Imbes na isang hakot kung saan man kami pupunta, kailangan ko na dalawa hanggang tatlong beses kami na magbabalik. It’s very inconvenient. Dagdag gastos na naman ito sa mga mamamayang Pilipino. Lalo ngayon ang taas pa rin ng gasolina,” said Beundor.