Go urges IATF to conduct ‘thorough’ study on motorcycle back-riding safety protocols
SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go is urging the Interagency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the National Task Force (NTF) for Covid-19 to consider a “thorough and scientific study” of various proposals for motorcycle back-riding in adherence to necessary health and safety protocols that need to be imposed to protect motorcycle drivers, back-riders and the general public.
W hile Go welcomed the government’s decision to allow motorcycle back-riding for certain cases, he also urged concerned agencies to consult riders and motorcycle safety experts so they could also assist in determining the measures that should be required by government, such as the installation of makeshift shields on motorcycle units.
“I urge the IATF and NTF Covid-19 to thoroughly and scientifically study various designs for back-riding. Huwag madaliin dahil kailangang pag-aralan ng mabuti ito, lalo na dahil buhay ng mga kababayan natin ang nakataya dito,” Go said.
“Bigyan natin ang mga Pilipino ng mabisang solusyon at hindi dagdag na konsumisyon. Siguraduhin nating ligtas ang paggamit ng shields o anumang installation
sa motorsiklo para maiwasan ang aksidente at hawaan ng sakit,” he added.
The senator earlier expressed his support for the IATF’S decision to allow back-riding on motorcycles specifically for married couples, especially since public transportation is still limited in many areas in the country.
“Malaking tulong ang pagpayag ng IATF sa back-riding on certain cases
tulad ng sa mga mag-asawa dahil limitado pa rin ang transportation options
sa panahon ngayon. Pero kailangang suriing mabuti ang safety measures
na gagawin para masigurong ang backriding ay mapapahintulutan sa ligtas na paraan,” Go added.
Guidelines on back-riding for couples were submitted by IATF’S technical working group for finalization.
The same have also been submitted to the NTF which is also expected to come up with its own recommendations.
“Pakinggan rin po natin ang mga concerns ng mga riders dahil sila ang apektado at makakabenepisyo rito. Bilang isang nagmomotorsiklo din, naiintindihan ko ang hinaing ng mga riders. Importante na siguraduhing ligtas sa kalsada ang anumang safety measure na ire-require ng gobyerno sa backriding,” Go urged.
Go, also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, emphasized that approved designs that will be required in back-riding must be based on scientific studies to ensure that these devices or installations will prevent the spread of Covid-19 and, at the same time, ensure the safety of riders and the general public.
According to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, the government is still open to more proposals, particularly on designs of barriers to be required between motorcycle drivers and back-riders.
Meanwhile, Go reminded the general public not to be complacent since the fight against the spread of Covid-19 is still ongoing. He advised Filipinos to limit themselves to essential movements only and continue to strictly comply with health and safety protocols being implemented.