Frontliners caught back-riding on motorcycle on their way home fined P5,000

Two frontliners who were caught back-riding on a motorcycle while on their way home to Bulacan were fined P5,000 by traffic enforcers in Valenzuela City.

Gerald Libiran and his brother, Mark, are both administration aides working at the Philippine Orthopedic Center and the National Children's Hospital.

In Dano Tingcungco's report for "24 Oras," Gerald said he fetched his brother from the NCH because the shuttle provided for healthcare workers goes through Fairview instead of MacArthur Highway.

"Pagdating ng bandang Potrero, Malabon, may mga MMDA po pinara kami," he said. "Pinakita lang po namin 'yung ID namin na ganun, tas sabi ng mga taga MMDA, 'sige sir ok lang po, frontliners po kayo. Ok na po 'yan.'"

When they arrived in Valenzuela, however, the traffic enforcers confiscated Gerald's license as back-riding on motorcycles is prohibited by the Department of Transportation.

He pleaded with the enforcers for understanding but they did not budge despite showing them their hospital IDs.

"Inexplain ko rin po sa enforcer na kaya po sinakay yung kapatid ko kasi wala nga pong ibang masasakyan. At tsaka gustong gusto na ring makauwi dahil apat na araw po siyang naduduty sa NCH eh," Gerald said.

When he returned the next day to claim his license, he was surprised to find out that the fine was P5,000--almost half of his monthly salary.

According to Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, the DoTr guidelines based on Department of Health's social distancing rules do not allow exemptions for frontliners caught back-riding.

"We are also trying to find a way with the city council to lower the fine for health care providers caught back riding but we have to evaluate our moves carefully as this may embolden others (people not working in the health care industry) to take advantage and violate this national mandate on back rides," he said.

Gerald hopes the government will have more consideration for healthcare workers like him.

"Nagsasakripisyo rin naman kami as frontliners dito sa ospital," he said. "Parang bat ganun? Ang naging ano lang naman namin gusto lang namin makauwi."

The government suspended public transportation as Luzon is placed under enhanced community quarantine to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

As of Friday, the Philippines has 803 confirmed cases with 54 deaths and 31 recoveries. --MGP, GMA News