Since Metro Manila and other areas transitioned to a more lenient general community quarantine (GCQ), thousands of commuters who are mostly returning to their workplaces continue to endure the effect of limited mass transportation due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
According to the guidelines by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), only trains and bus augmentation, taxis, TNVS, shuttle services, point-to-point buses and bicycles will be allowed to operate with limited passenger capacity from June 1 to 21. Tricycles will also be allowed to operate but subject to the prior approval of the concerned local government unit.
As for the second phase from June 22 to 30, public utility buses, modern PUVs and UV Express will also be allowed to resume operations but with limited passenger capacity.
Despite the availability of public transportation, commuters, due to limited mobility options, scramble for public transportation just to arrive to their destinations.
That’s why some motorists are appealing to the government to allow backriding on motorcycles to provide the riding public mobility options amid the less strict quarantine.
But the question is, should it be allowed under quarantine restrictions?
During a public briefing on Monday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said that backriding on motorcycles is still prohibited under the GCQ.
“Ang ating angkas ang ating panuntunan diyan ay bawal pa rin. Sapagkat ito’y malaking violation sa ating health protocol. Kung ang mag-asawa ay papasok at naka-angkas, pag dating niya sa opisina ay mahahawa ‘yung lalake at pag-uwi niya ay naka-angkas ‘yung babae… ‘yung babae naman ‘yung mahahawa. Ang susunod naman na mahahawa ay ‘yung kaopisina nung babae,” Año explained.
“Habang mayroon pa pong virus hindi po tayo pwedeng magsugal diyan. Hanggang sa sana’y dumating tayo sa new normal… wala na tayong virus at wala ng positive cases ay babalik din naman po tayo diyan. Konting pasensya lang,” Año added.
In lieu of backriding, Año suggested to attach sidecars to motorcycles instead so that couples would be able to ride together.
“Unti-unti po tayong gumagawa ng… tricycle lane at lagyan na lang po ng sidecar yung motor at pwede na isama ‘yung kanyang misis. Ganun lang naman po ‘yung mga solusyon habang mayroon pa tayong virus. Kapag wala na tayong virus, babalik na po sila sa dati at pwede na po silang mag-angkas,” Año said.
Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla earlier appealed to the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease to allow backriding on motorcycles for couples or those who are living together amid the implementation of the general community quarantine in the province.
However, Remulla said that his request was denied.
Remulla appealed to the IATF to exempt couples from the policy since they share almost everything at home.
“What I would like to appeal is to allow married or cohabitating couples to backride on their motorcycles. They sleep on the same bed. Eat on the same table. Share the same bowl of rice and pass viands with their bare hands. That is lfie here and anywhere else,” he said.
“Surely it would make sense that couples be allowed to ride the same motorcycle. If they are allowed the same air-conditioned cars, they why can’t they ride the same motorcycle. If they share the same bed, then why can’t they be together on their
Remulla explained that motorcycles are the primary mode of transport in Cavite, saying that there are roughly 400,000 motorcycles that regularly ply the roads in the province.
The Department of Transportation prohibited backriding on motorcycles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.