Mandaue listens, works on tweaks to its mask ban on motorbikers

Good news ahead if, for health reasons, you need a mask while riding a motorcycle in Mandaue City

After its first week of strictly enforcing the ban, Mandaue City’s officials are considering some changes.

Its City Council will take up possible tweaks, like allowing exemptions for those who are under doctor’s orders to wear masks. More than 200 were caught violating this week the City’s ordinance that requires motorcycle and tricycle drivers and passengers not to conceal their faces while crossing Mandaue.

While emphasizing that the ordinance stems from the need for public safety, Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna said that he and the City Legal Office are mulling over reasonable exemptions, as well as possibly reducing the penalty of P5,000. A series of shootings prompted the strict enforcement of the ban.

The Mandaue City Government plans to amend the ordinance that prohibits tricycle drivers, motorcycle drivers and their passengers from using face covers within Mandaue.

Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna said the amendments will lessen the penalty, possibly exempt those who are suffering from health conditions, and exclude tricycle drivers from the ordinance.

“Right now, the City Council is aware and mindful of all these complaints that you (journalists) have been receiving. We find some of those complaints valid, particularly those who have health conditions,” said Fortuna.

Fortuna pointed out that a person with a health condition went to his office on Friday to inform him that she had to wear a surgical mask as advised by her doctor. He said he also understands the motorists who are shocked by the P5,000 penalty, because it’s “quite expensive.”

“These two alone require a review of the measure. We will secure the assessment of the police and the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team),” said the vice mayor.

Team started implementing the ordinance last Monday and has gathered mixed reactions. The City Government decided to strictly implement the ordinance, which the council had approved last Nov. 9, 2017, following a series of shooting incidents in the city that were committed by assailants who rode motorcycles and wore full-faced helmets or masks.

Fortuna and the City Legal Office are studying possible exemptions and an adjustment in the penalty.

“This is not a traffic measure. This is a safety measure,” said Fortuna.

“The measure was introduced as an initiative to curb incidents committed by riding-in-tandem assassins... The City Council will continue to look at other options because we know this is not a perfect regulation and can find a way for a more effective response,” he added.