MANILA, Philippines — Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla initiated an appeal to the Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19 to allow motorcycle backriding particularly for married or cohabiting couples.
In his open letter addressed to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Remulla explained that because of the impact of the outbreak on businesses, many companies couldn’t prioritize providing shuttle services for their employees, at least in Cavite, and mass transportation remains limited which adds to the burden of workers and employees going to and from workplaces.
He noted that while he agrees with the national government in implementing strict social distancing protocols to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which prompted a ban on motorcycle backriding, he appealed that exemptions be given to married or cohabiting couples.
“Ang nais ko pong idulog ay mapayagan ang backriding sa kaso ng mga mag-asawa at nagsasama (I ask that you allow backriding for married and cohabiting couples),” Remulla said given that married couples live under one roof and sleep on the same bed.
“Kung hinahayaan po natin silang sumakay sa de aircon na kotse, bakit hindi po sila maaring sumakay sa iisang motorsiklo? Kung pareho sila ng kamang tinutulugan, bakit hindi sila puwedeng magbyaheng magkasama? (If we allow them to ride an air-conditioned car, why not allow them on the same motorcycle? If they sleep on the same bed, why can’t they travel together?]” he argued.
The Cavite governor said the provincial government is willing to provide a ‘Couple’s Pass’ which married couples may support with a marriage certificate.
Meanwhile, Acting Rizal Governor Dr. Reynaldo San Juan Jr. also made a similar appeal in an open letter to the IATF.
Governor San Juan argued that since transportation is limited during the quarantine period, motorcycles are the “cheapest and fastest” way of getting to work or to a destination.
He specifically noted the plight of women who are compelled to walk long distances just to get to work.
“Dahil hindi pinayagan ng IATF ang backrider, napipilitang maglakad ang mga kababaihang asawa ng mga nagmo-motorcycle ng ilang oras para lamang makarating sa kanilang pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan, (Because IATF has banned backriding, the wives of motorcycle riders are forced to walk for several hours just to get to work)” San Juan said.
San Juan ascertained that they will enforce the necessary measures for the protection of the riders and the general public should the IATF grant his appeal.
These include the strict implementation of wearing masks, presentation of proper identification cards, travel pass and marriage certificate to make sure that the proposed policy will not be abused or taken advantage of.
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