The Philippine National Police (PNP) has allowed back-riding for Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR) and work-related trips even if the passenger is not related to the driver during the imposition of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal from Aug. 4 to 18, 2020.
In a memo released Aug. 3 and signed by P/Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Luis Licup, the PNP stated that due to the prohibition of public transport under the MECQ, motorcycle pillion riding or back-riding is allowed under the following conditions:
- The backride/passenger is an APOR and the travel is work related, even if he/she is not related to the driver.
- The driver is equipped or the motorcycle is installed with the prescribed barrier; and
- The motorcycle is privately owned, is not for hire and was not hired during the trip.
In his daily press briefings, Palace spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that while back riding in general is prohibited during the MECQ, the government has decided to exempt APORS and workers.
“Isa pong update, bagamat bawal pa rin po ang back riding, mayroon po tayong isang exception— Kapag ang pasahero po ay APOR or Authorized Person Outside of Residence at ang biyahe ay work-related, pwede pong mag-angkas. Pero ulitin ko lang po, ang backride ay para lamang sa APORs na papunta lamang sa biyahe na work-related at hindi naman po nirequire na mag-asawa, kapag APOR ang sakay. Kahit na ang driver ay hindi related sa pasahero, basta APOR ang sakay, pwede. At panghuli, ang motorsiklo ay privately owned, hindi motorcycle taxi, hindi for hire, at hindi hina-hire during the trip,” Sec. Roque said.
According to Sec. Roque, the order was approved last August 3 after the meeting between the National Task Force (NTF) on COVID-19 and Metro Manila mayors.