DILG allows back-riding on motorcycles, conditions set

Barangay Libertad, Butuan City through a buy-bust operation. Confiscated from Lara’s possession and control are four pieces of heat-sealed sachets of shabu weighing four grams with Dangerous Drug Board value of P27,200.

Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel, Jr., regional director of Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, said that arrested persons were charged By Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa As specified to be strictly followed, the motorcycle back-riding shall be allowed for couples living in the same household. Valid identification (ID) card shall be presented as proof that said persons are living together or are married to one another or have any relation to one another, such as common law marriage, boyfriend and girlfriend. The LGUs are also tasked to monitor in order to ensure its proper for violation of R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and now detained at the police custodial facilities in Butuan City.

BGen Esquivel, Jr. stressed that PNP Caraga’s campaign against illegal drugs will be relentlessly pursued in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to eradicate all forms of illegal drugs.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued on July 15, 2020, the advisory entitled “Back-Riding on Motorcycles” informing local government units (LGUs) that back-riding on motorcycles shall be allowed anew but subject to certain conditions.

(PIO, PRO13/PIA Caraga) implementation such as putting a safety barrier/shield with a design duly approved by the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for COVID-19 and must be placed between the driver and the passenger.

The persons riding on motorcycles shall observe the minimum public health standards set forth by the Department of Health (DOH), such as the wearing of face masks.

The riders shall also observe all road safety measures during their ride to include the donning of appropriate motorcycle safety headwear or crash helmets.

Coordination of the LGUs and the local Philippine National Police (PNP) offices is encouraged. This is in consonance to PNP memorandum dated July 9, 2020 entitled “Motorcycle Pillion Riding or Back-Riding” which was issued pursuant to the pronouncement of Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Eduardo M. Año and the supporting statement of Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on July 9, 2020. It includes the prototype submitted by governor Arthur Yap of Bohol province. (LGOO VI, DILG-13/ VLG/PIA-Caraga)