Palace: Pillion riding on motorcycles allowed ‘in principle’ subject to guidelines

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Saturday said that pillion riding, or having a passenger riding at the back of a driver on a motorcycle has been allowed “in principle.”

But Roque, during the Laging Handa online press briefing, clarified that the return of pillion riding on motorcycles is subject to guidelines to be drafted by the National Task Force (NTF) on COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) response.

“So malapit na po ang back-riding, pero kinakailangan mag-issue po ang NTF na mag-issue ng guidelines,” he said.

(So back riding in motorcycles will return soon, but the NTF needs to issue guidelines.)

“Pinapayagan na in principle ang back-riding upon the approval ng mga requirements na ise-set ng technical working group,” he added. “Antay-antay na lang po muna at pwede nang mapayagan ang back riding.”

(Back riding is allowed in principle, upon the approval of the requirements that will be set by the technical working group. Let’s just wait and maybe back riding will finally be allowed.)

He added that the technical working group, composed of the Department of Transportation, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Philippine Standards will convene to determine how to prevent the transmission of SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, during pillion riding.

Operations of motorcycle taxis were suspended in mid-March during the enforcement of the Luzon-wide community quarantine.

Angkas, a motorcycle taxi operator, previously proposed the use of a plastic divider shield to lessen physical contact between the driver and the passenger.

/MUF