Back-riding allowed but no clear guidelines yet

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

 

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on Thursday said he will amend the Executive Order on the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) so that residents may be properly guided while awaiting the national government’s guidelines on motorcycle back-riding.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on July 9 announced that the National Task Force on COVID-19 (NTF) has approved back-riding for couples.

The rule is that couples should provide proof of residence, such as valid IDs or marriage certificates.

But after some pronouncements, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has yet to release the guidelines on back-riding.

In a press conference, Defensor said he was still waiting for the guidelines from the national government even as he mulls to amend EO No. 128 to set clearer rules for residents of the province.

EO No. 128 was first issued on May 31, downgrading the province to the “more permissive” MGCQ from higher CQ levels implemented from March to May.

“We are waiting for an issuance from the national government. We have advisories and pronouncements, but there has not been any issuance yet. We’re about to amend our Executive Order. We don’t have any transition EO, because we are waiting for developments and additional guidelines that we can accommodate for this next chapter of the MGCQ,” he said.

The governor said the amendments will include pronouncements made by national government officials and his proposals in early June.

Under EO No. 110, which implemented the stricter GCQ from May 15 to 31, motorcycle back-riding was allowed with several guidelines to ensure minimal risks.

But Defensor amended the EO after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) reminded him via letter that the national government still prohibited motorcycle back-riding.

“We will include that one back-rider shall be allowed. And will also include that provided there shall be a barrier between the driver and the back-rider and there shall be a handling bar for the back-rider and that they will wear helmets, face mask and gloves; they will perform disinfecting procedures immediately before and after the trip; and that only spouses shall be allowed to ride together,” he said.

He said that the amended EO will still be subject to changes due to the lack of resolutions or memoranda from the national government.