MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) is only considering backriding for private motorcycles, Malacañang clarified yesterday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said motorcycle taxis such as Angkas and JoyRide are not part of the consideration since their operations are only on pilot run prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown.
“Pinag-aaralan ng IATF-EID na payagan ang backriding ng private motorcycles subject to health and safety protocols,” Roque said during a virtual press conference.
“Talagang private back riding ang ikokonsidera pero hindi po tayo babalik sa kinaugalian natin. Kailangan may safety contraptions ang gagamitin,” the Palace spokesperson added.
Roque also said the pilot run for the various motorcycle taxis have already ended last April and it will be the Congress who will decide if they will be given a public utility franchise.
“Kaya wala pong Angkas, or iba pang taxi service kasi wala silang prangkisa. Kinakailangan muna silang kumuha ng prangkisa sa Kongreso at natapos ang testing period or pilot study,” Roque said.
Roque announced over the weekend that the motorcycle backriding is already allowed “in principle” upon the approval of the requirements set by the technical working group.
He said that departments of Transportation, Science and Technology, and Health; the Metro Manila Development Authority; and the Bureau of Philippine Standards were tasked to look for the “safest and effective” manner to ensure the safe backriding amid the outbreak.
President Rodrigo Duterte has earlier said that he could not allow motorcycle backriding because strict physical distancing cannot be observed.
Having a passenger on motorbikes remains prohibited in general community quarantine areas. Even couples are not allowed to ride together on motorcycles, with authorities concerned the proximity may lead to coronavirus disease 2019 spread./PN
