Año: Barriers required for motorcycle taxis; passengers encouraged to use own helmet

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday said motorcycle taxis are required to install barriers in their vehicles to prevent COVID-19 transmission once they resume operations.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Año said passengers are not required to bring their own helmet but they are highly encouraged.

“Sa motorcycle taxi ay talagang requirement ‘yung barrier kasi hindi 'yan magkakakilala e,” he added.

“At saka 'yung paggamit ng helmet, ini-encourage natin 'yung mga commuters sana meron kayong sariling helmet para hindi kayo manghihiram,” he added.

According to Año, the helmets motorcycle taxi drivers will lend to passengers are expected to be disinfected to avoid possible transmission of the coronavirus.

For Año, allowing the resumption of operations of motorcycle taxis is a big help to commuters.

Amid the plan of the government to allow businesses to operate at 100% capacity, Año noted that around 400,000 workers of these establishments might get stranded due to limited public transport.

“The motorcycle taxi plus the appropriate barrier naman ay additional 'yan. Napakalaking tulong niyan sa ating mga commuters,” he said.

In a resolution, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) earlier endorsed to the House transportation committee the continuation of the pilot study for motorcycle taxis.

Ride-hailing firm Angkas expressed high hopes that motorcycle taxis will be allowed to serve commuters soon after the endorsement. —KG, GMA News