Motorcycle ride-hailing firm Angkas has partnered with the University of the Philippines College of Public Health (UP-CPH) and other experts to study the viability of using motorcycle taxis as public transportation amid the global pandemic.
In a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, UP-CPH dean Dr. Vicente Belizario Jr. said they were tapped by Angkas to provide guidelines and recommendations for the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the transport industry.
Health experts from the UP-PCH enumerated health protocols to be implemented for motorcycle taxis once it is allowed to resume operations.
"Riders can disinfect regularly-touched surfaces frequently. They should also do handwashing and the usual respiratory etiquette. Aside from wearing masks, riders can use their own helmets," Dr. Paul Michael Hernandez said.
Hernandez added that motorcycle taxis are also safer compared to other modes of public transport in terms of ventilation as both driver and passengers can access clean air.
Aside from these health protocols, Angkas said its passengers would also be required to wear their own helmets.
"We are preparing an announcement for passengers on how they can qualify to ride with us during this time. We are also training drivers regarding this," Angkas Operations Head David Medrana said.
Experts have also recommended the use of Angkas' barrier or shield as an additional layer of protection to further reduce the risk of virus transmission between biker and passenger.
"While the masks that Filipinos wear today protect their users, Angkas was aiming for that extra layer of protection for motorcycle taxis. For example, just in case passenger who pulls down his mask and sneezes, you have a barrier in place," Walter Wong, Angkas Head of Marketing and Special Projects said.
“ is very straightforward. It blocks the virus. You have a driver facing one way; transmission would be from passenger to driver. However, we want to make sure that it does not add to risks when it comes to road safety," he added.
Meanwhile, Lee Parks, trainer and owner of Total Control Training, Inc., one of the top motorcycle safety taxi schools in the United States, also pointed out the "simple and elegant" solution offered by the Angkas shield.
"It's really light, it's less than one kilogram. It needed to be clear enough have visibility, looking through it," he mentioned.
"When the bike accelerates, the passenger can hold on to the handles at the bottom of the shield. The rider has resistance when braking. The handle system is essential so the passenger can hold on. they did not feel it due to its lightness and to aerodynamics," Parks said.
Angkas Chief Transport Regulator shared the construction of one shield is estimated to range from P500 to P1000 which covers both materials and labor.
At the same time, Royeca pointed out that the use of the shield should be complemented by public behavior that conforms to the health protocols.
"The shield is only one aspect of safety. There are public health measures that need to be put in place. There are responsibilities of driver and passengers that should be studies. Since the shield was approved, hopefully this is a path for citizens on where to go," Royeca said.
"Angkas has always been about collaboration. Let us help each other in a collaborative effort to create a new world. Hopefully, we can live in this new world relatively safe. Wear a mask, let's observe physical distancing. Let's follow the protocols at all times because it will save lives," he added.