(CNN Philippines, June 5) — Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia announced Friday she will withdraw the two-day-old executive order allowing back-riding on motorcycles within the province, shortly after President Rodrigo Duterte said that is still prohibited.
Garcia said she heard the President’s statements and will abide by his directive.
“Yes, I have already advised them (provincial board) nga di lang usa nila, i-defer lang usa na kay I will withdraw my EO in deference sa sulti sa Presidente,” Garcia said in an interview this morning over local radio station dyLA-AM.
[Translation: Yes, I have already advised them not now, they should defer it because I will withdraw my EO in deference to what the President said].
Duterte turned down the request of the local official in a taped public address aired on Friday: “As much as I would like to accommodate Governor Garcia, if I begin to give exception to one, I will open myself to charges of anti-graft law.”
Garcia signed on Wednesday Executive Order 19, allowing private motorcycle owners to have one passenger or back rider, contrary to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said on Saturday that the policy against back-riding on motorcycles will remain in areas under general community quarantine, such as Cebu province.
He said back-riding, even of married couples, cannot be allowed so as to ensure the driver and passenger keep enough space from each other to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Pilion riding is seen to decongest public utility vehicles, which operate at reduced capacity in areas under GCQ.
Cebu-based Stringer Dale Israel contributed to this report
