DoTr asked: Reconsider policy
Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has appealed to the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to reconsider the no backrider policy.
He wrote a letter to DoTr Secretary Arthur Tugade appealing to exempt the immediate family members of motorists, provided they present valid identification cards.
The DoTr recently issued an order prohibiting motorists with a backrider. The move is part of the community quarantine measures, including social distancing, to avert the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Violators face charges under Republic Act 11332, which penalizes non-cooperation of persons or entities affected by a health event of public concern and resistance and disobedience to a person in authority.
While the city recognizes the effort of DOTr in imposing regulations in the transport sector to mitigate the further spread of the virus, Labella said many commuters are affected.
He said the public has raised concerns and pleas regarding the policy.
“It’s an admitted fact that majority of our people or the commuting public rely on motorcycles, and now more than ever because of this distancing policy mas convenient guro na ang mga pamilya o magtiayon musakay nalang sa motorcycle,” said Labella.
He said many household and families rely on motorcyles as means of transportation.
“At the end of the day, these individuals share homes,” he said.
Labella said the city government is doing its best ensuring that precautionary and safety measures against COVID-19 are properly implemented following the declaration of the State of General Community Quarantine in the city.
Labella also requested Councilor Franklyn Ong, Association of Barangay Councils-Cebu City president, to direct all the 80 barangays in the city to submit daily reports on the implementation of curfew and Executive Orders issued by the city government.
These reports should be submitted to the office of the mayor daily and not later than 2 p.m., said Labella.