After Remulla, Rizal gov also asks IATF to allow motorcycle backriding for couples

MANILA, Philippines — Similar to the request of Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, the local government of Rizal is also asking the government’s COVID-19 task force to allow motorcycle “backriders” — particularly for married or cohabitating couples.

https://www.facebook.com/rizalprovincialgov/photos/a.570975926311769/2907371869338818/?type=3&theater

In an open letter to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) posted on Facebook Thursday, Rizal Acting Governor Reynaldo San Juan Jr. cited that transportation is limited during the quarantine period, and that motorcycles are the “cheapest and fastest” way of getting to a destination.

Rizal is currently under a period of general community quarantine (GCQ) until May 31.

Since the lockdown was first imposed on the entire Luzon Island, the Department of Transportation said that motorcycle backriders were not allowed as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Dahil hindi pinayagan ng IATF ang backrider, karaniwang napipilitang maglakad ang mga kababaihang asawa ng nagmo-motorcyle ng ilang oras para lamang makarating sa kanilang pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan,” San Juan said.

(Since the IATF did not allow the concept of  backrider, it has become usual that the wife of the driver walks for hours just to get to her source of income.)

San Juan also assured that the local government will further implement measures for the safety of both driver and passenger.

“Kasama po dito ang mahigpit na paggamit ng face masks, ang pagsisiyasat ng identification cards, travel pass, marriage certificate at iba pang hakbang para masigurong hindi maabuso ang pagpayag sa Backriders,” the Rizal governor said.

(Among these measures is the strict implementation of wearing of face masks, the checking of identification cards, travel pass, marriage certificate and other ways to make sure that allowing of backriders will not be abused.)

Earlier, Remulla sent a letter to IATF-EID chairman, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, to allow the practice of motorcycle backriding in Cavite.