Mayor: Motor barrier stays in Davao City

Photo by Macky Lim
Photo by Macky Lim

DESPITE continuous appeal from some motorcycle riders, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the City Government is not lifting the mandatory motorcycle barrier policy anytime soon.

"[While] it's a non-pharmacological intervention sa pag-control sa (in controlling) Covid-19, ang purpose sa barrier is kung naa ka sa opisina, ginabutangan siya'g barrier so that kung dunay mulagput nga laway, dili mapadulong, dili ma-inhale didto sa imong kaatubang (the purpose of requiring motor barriers is similar to barriers installed in offices. This is to prevent saliva droplets from being inhaled by the person you are facing with). In that case, sa imohang (your) driver or rider," Duterte-Carpio said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday, April 19, 2021.

The National Task Force for Covid-19 in August last year no longer required motorcycle barriers for people living in the same household within areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ. Davao City is currently under GCQ.

NTF also announced that motorcycle riders living in the same household are no longer required to install barriers.

However, Davao City has made motorcycle barriers mandatory for motorcycle riders, regardless of the rider’s relationship with their passenger and quarantine status of the city.

The mayor emphasized that according to the city’s Executive Order 47-A series of 2020, all pillion riders are required to place any type of barrier, for as long as it will serve its purpose to both riders.

According to Section 13 of the EO, "the barrier may be made of any design and material, provided that it will cover the upper body of the driver, but not extend above the head."

"It doesn’t matter kung unsa ang inyong (what is your) relationship [with the driver and rider], ang (what is) importante is [there is a] barrier," Duterte-Carpio said in a previous radio interview.

The mayor reiterated that the use of the barrier remains necessary as it is a preventive device that according to health professionals is essential for back riders.

“The barriers will further protect us from Covid-19 so it will remain as a requirement for riders in Davao City,” she said.

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