Año stands pat on no back-riding on motorcyles

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año is firm on prohibiting back-riding on motorcycles amid the general community quarantine in which mass transport vehicles are limited.

At a press briefing aired Friday morning, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go raised the possibility of allowing back-riding, not only among couples, but to those belonging  to the same household.

But Año maintained that physical distancing could not be observed in back-riding on motorcycles, citing the health guidelines of the Department of Health.

"Naintindihan po natin ang kanilang paghihirap pero base sa panuntunan ng DOH, 'yung kanilang minimum health standards na physical distancing, napakahirap ipractice sa motor at kahit sabihin natin na sila ay mag-asawa, magkapatid, ang virus ay walang pinipili kung mag-asawa," Año said.

"Kaya nga po dapat sa bahay ay may physical distancing pa rin dahil hindi talaga guarantee na magkapatid o magasawa, parehas kayong negative. Lalo na kung pupunta sa opisina ninyo, di natin alam kung may dalang virus 'yung isa..." he added.

Año emphasized that back-riding on motorcycles could be a cheaper and more convenient means for transportation, however, one's life would still be at risk.

"Hindi 'yung makakatipid sila. Buhay eh. Pagka-nahawa 'yung isa, mahawa 'yung isa. It is costlier kung mamamatay sila. Sa ngayon po 'yun ang stand namin ng DOH habang wala pa tayo sa bagong normal or habang di pa natin naze-zero 'yung cases natin," he said.

Año assured the public that this policy would change once no COVID-19 case is recorded by health authorities.

"Ito naman po ay 'di forever, dadating naman tayo sa bagong normal kung saan may zero cases talaga na, puwede na natin 'tong iallow," he said.

Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddess Libiran has said allowing back-riding on motorcycles could be difficult to implement considering the huge volume of riders and passengers that need to be checked one by one. — RSJ, GMA News