Backrider ban in Baguio stays

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The ban on backriding on motorcycles in this city remains in effect.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong yesterday said authorizations issued by barangays allowing immediate family members of the driver as backrider have been revoked.

“As much as the city wanted to allow angkas with strict precautionary measures, it is the national rule that should prevail,” Magalong said.

He was referring to the quarantine protocols issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), which prohibits backride passengers as it violates physical distancing measures. 

Early this week, Magalong said backriding would be allowed, but only for immediate family members. He said barangay officials should issue certifications on the relation of the driver and the backrider.

Magalong said he made representations with national government officials to reconsider the policy.

He said he requested Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the national policy on COVID-19, to relay his request to the IATF.

Meanwhile, Mayors Samsam Gullas and Joannes Alegado of Talisay City and Consolacion town as well as Carcar City Vice Mayor Nicepuro Apura, all in Cebu, sought the lifting of the ban on motorcycle backriders to address transportation concerns in their area.

The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas said the local officials stressed that motorcyles are the most convenient mode of transporation in their area.

The local officials said backriding at least for husbands, wives and family members should be allowed.