Cebu officials push for lifting of motorcycle backriding ban

Three Cebu leaders have called on the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to lift the ban on motorcycle backriding. 

Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas, Carcar City Vice Mayor Nicepuro Apura and Consolacion Mayor Joannes Alegado said motorcycles are the common mode of transport for locals especially those who live in the inner sections of the localities.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ahong Chan had earlier written to the IATF with a similar request. Chan said motorcycles play a big role in transporting local employees to their respective workplaces. He assured the IATF that only family members would be allowed to backride.

“Ako lang unta nga mapadayon na nga pwede mag-angkas kay mao na ang main transportation sa city, (I would like to appeal for backriding on motorcycles because it is the main transportation in the city), especially for family members,” said Gullas said in an interview with Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) .

Gullas appealed to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to look into the situation.

“Hopefully, they can reconsider their position regarding backriders for motorcycles,” he said.

Carcar and Consolacion are both under general community quarantine (GCQ), while Talisay is still on modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). All three have already reopened some businesses to normal operations since May 20 with only a limited number of buses allowed. For inner-city routes, free public transportation is still deployed.