PNP issues rules on motorcycle pillion riding

The Philippine National Police (PNP) released on Friday the guidelines to be followed by motorcyclists regarding pillion riding, coinciding with the deadline it earlier gave the public relating to the installation of physical barriers on their motorcycles.

Police Major General Emmanuel Licup, PNP's directorate for operations, said the guidelines pertain to married couples and live-in partners sharing a ride.

It  demands all motorcycle drivers and their passengers to wear face masks and helmets at all times.

A maximum of two persons only are allowed in a single motorcycle.

The rider and the passenger are also required to present at checkpoints documents to prove they are indeed married or living together.

The motorcycle used by riders should be equipped with a safety barrier approved by the National Task Force (NTF) against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Prototypes approved by the NTF were those submitted by the local government of Bohol and motorcycle ride-hailing firm Angkas.

The Bohol government's design has the shield installed directly on the motorcycle as placed between rider and the passenger, while Angkas proposed a backpack-type barrier worn by the driver.

Last week, the Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield extended the deadline for the manufacture and installation of motorcycle barriers from July 26 to July 31.

Licup said those who will be caught violating the guidelines shall be charged with penalties ranging from P1,000 to P10,000 depending on the number of offenses committed.

Meanwhile, riders who will be caught with an unauthorized back rider (not wife/husband nor live-in partner) shall be penalized for "overloading" with a fine of P1,000.

Further, a driver who is not an authorized person outside residence (APOR) will also be fined P3,000, which the PNP said is equal to "driving without a valid license."

"For other violations, appropriate laws would be used to sanction the violators," Licup said.