Netizen flags pillion riding policy for couples: ‘Anong pinagkaiba ng asawa sa anak?’

MANILA, Philippines — A Facebook user has raised concerns about the government’s policy on pillion riding, in particular the requirement that it be exclusive to couples only and that it set up motorcycle dividers.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Judy Domingo recounted how she and her father were traveling through Monumento, Caloocan at 12:50 p.m. to get her to work when they were flagged down by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority ( MMDA) to check if they were a couple.

She said they were stopped because they violated government rules that pillion rides are for partners living together.

https://www.facebook.com/judy.domingo.92/posts/4415602845179259

She also complained that there is little distinction between spouses and family members since they all live in one household. This, as government guidelines on pillion rides, allow only couples with the same address.

“Anong pagkakaiba ng asawa sa anak? E pare pareho naman kaming nakatirang tatlo sa iisang bubong?” she asked.

(What is the difference between married couples and their children when we all live on the same roof?)

She further said: “Should I send my mom instead to my work para lang mangyari ang sinasabi nyong mag asawa lang dapat magka angkas?”

(Should I send my mom instead to my work so that we can follow your guidelines that pillion rides are only for couples?)

Domingo stressed that her father had also built a protective divider to meet the recommendations of the Interagency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases Control (IATF) for Pillion Riders.

“Ayan IATF, sumunod kami sa guidelines niyo na paharang a. Aga aga pinaghirapan ng papa kong gawin yan kasi gusto niya ko mahatid sa work dahil ang mahal na ng mamasahe ngayon ginto,” she said.

(There IATF, we followed your guidelines. My father had to craft this as early as possible because he wants to ferry me to my work due to the expensive fares in public transport.)

She also noted the supposed “protective” barrier is risky because of its shaky features.

“Kuya, alam niyo bang risky tong paharang harang ninyo na ito kasi nakakaapekto siya sa balanse ng motor. Ang wiggly ng takbo namin pag humahampas yung hangin sa pa-shield nyo,” she penned on her Facebook post, quoting what she told the MMDA personnel who stopped them from traveling.

(This shield is dangerous because it impacts the balance of the wheel. Our travel was faltering and the divider became unsteady because of the wind.)

In a separate message with INQUIRER.net, Domingo said she is not angry at the MMDA personnel who flagged them down but about the government’s “unclear” guidelines.

After they were pulled over, Domingo said she took a Light Rail Transit and arrived safely went at work.

In a television interview, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said that, depending on the situation of COVID-19 cases in the country, the government might allow family members for pillion rides. [ac]