Solon appeals to IATF to reconsider ban motorcycle-riding couples and family members: Maawa naman kayo!

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

MANILA – Instead of completely banning motorcycle riders to have a backrider, a party-list lawmaker has appealed the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to issue exemption passes for couples and family members under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

Party-list Rep. Ronnie Ong said IATF should consider the sacrifices and the hardships that the public is going through due to the inadequacy of public transport.

Ong, representative of Ang Probinsyano Party-list has recommended to IATF to allow back-riding for couples and family members to ply the road on the condition that they should secure specially designed identification cards or exemption passes bearing both their photos.

Ong suggested that as a requirement, the issuing agency should require documents, including but not limited to either marriage certificates, barangay certificate of residency, and such to prove relationship status from ID/exemption pass applicants.

Interior Eduardo Año earlier has claimed back-riding is still prohibited under GCQ because this is a violation of exiting health protocols laid down by the IATF-IED.

Año expressed concerned that the backrider might get the virus while at work and could transmit the disease if she rides the same motorcycle on his/her way home.

But Ong stressed that this explanation of Año does not make any sense because the supposed passenger would still have to get a ride home and she would still have to make contact with family members once he or she gets home.

Ong has maintained that it is unnecessary to prohibit couples and family members from riding together in a motorcycle due to alleged violation of social distancing rules.

“It doesn’t make sense that people who are living, eating and sleeping together in the same house should be apprehended for being in the same vehicle or for riding together in a motorcycle for supposed violation of the rules on physical distancing set by the IATF,” Ong stressed.

According to Ong, public transportation is now one of “biggest challenge” for people trying to get back on their feet and eke out a living under the GCQ and motorcycles and bicycles are the most affordable and most accessible means of mobility for many of them.

“Kailangan nating mabigyan ng ligtas na alternatibong transportasyon ang mga kababayan natin. Sobrang bugbog na po ang karamihan sa atin dahil sa Covid pandemic. Bigyan naman natin sila ng kaunting konsiderasyon,” said Ong.

He added that in some rural areas, the only mode of transportation is the motorcycle.

“Sana naman maintindihan ng Task Force na hindi lahat ng mga kababayan natin ay may sariling kotse..,” he added.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)