Some lawmakers urged organizers of the BOSS Ironman Motorcycle Challenge (BIMC) on Thursday to discontinue the annual activity, citing the injuries and fatalities recorded during this year’s event. 

Data from the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group showed a total of 25 road crash incidents were recorded from the Luzon leg held last February and the Mindanao leg held last January. 

Twenty participants and 19 non-participants sustained injuries. Three non-participants died after figuring in the accidents.

During Thursday’s hearing of the House Committee on Transportation, BMW Owners’ Society of Safe Riders (BOSS) President Joseph Tan issued an apology and said the board is “strongly contemplating” to halt the endurance challenge.

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“Talagang dangerous itong ganitong race or challenge sa national road, o sa mga municipal or city road. Kaya kung pinag-iisipan n’yo pang gawin ito, stop n’yo na po. Tanggalin n’yo ‘yung national road sa mga challenge n’yo,” ACT Teachers Party List Rep. France Castro said.

“Walang kapalit ‘yung buhay. As the President and with the board, we are strongly thinking or contemplating of the event not to push through. We have to reformat if we have to. But as of now, you would see it in our actions, we have not sent a single letter or any intentions to push through with event… for 2025,” Tan said.

“If I will be asked kung itutuloy pa po ba ‘yung Ironman, palagay ko ang sagot ko napakaliwanag na hindi na itutuloy ang Ironman… In my capacity as member of the board, hindi ako nakakakita ng dahilan kung bakit kailangan ituloy ang Ironman,” BOSS Board Member Tristan Diaz added.

BOSS officials told the panel that they recorded only two fatalities from road crashes during the event. 

One family received a settlement of P600,000 and another received P400,000. The group said it is ready to shoulder the education expenses of the victims’ children.

Committee Chairperson and Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop asked about the legality of using public roads for events like BIMC.

“It becomes illegal if it endangers people who are also using the road. Kasi under our laws, the use of the road is not illegal. However, if you break the speed limit, do not get any permits from the LGUs who are conducting your activities, your activity becomes illegal,” Atty. Enrico Alday of the Department of the Interior and Local Government replied. 

“In the case of the BOSS Challenge, does it not endanger public safety?” Acop asked.

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 “Based on what is discussed and what is shown today, I believe… without saying anything conclusive, it endangers the public,” Alday said. 

The Land Transportation Office told the panel it will coordinate with organizers to identify violators of laws on reckless driving, speed limit at illegal modification, which were caught on videos. 

LTO Director Francis Ray Almora said the event was the subject of an anonymous complaint before the Office of the President last year, which was forwarded to the agency. 

The LTO issued an order last October for organizers to “desist” from conducting the BIMC. But it was later rescinded after the agency granted the motion for reconsideration filed by the organizers.