Bohol to ban motorcycle riders in ‘vulgar’ attire

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The Bohol Provincial Board is set approve an ordinance banning motorcycle drivers and riders from wearing lewd or ‘vulgar’ attire — usually foreigners — while on the highways or roads anywhere in the province.

PB Member Kristine Alexie Tutor, during last Friday’s session, proposed an ordinance that “prohibits motorcycle drivers and back riders without upper clothing and providing penalties for violations therefor.” This was approved on first reading.

Tutor also proposed, as approved by the PB, a resolution urging all local government units in Bohol to monitor and regulate all motorcycles engaged in business, with emphasis on checking its registration and road worthiness.”

The tourism committee chairperson earlier brought to the attention of her colleagues about foreign tourists riding in motorcycles on highways “half-naked, which maybe unpleasant to others, especially in the eyes of other Boholanos.”

The joint committees on tourism, environment and public safety found that, based on Bohol Police provincial director Superintendent Angeles Genorga’s testimony, “there is no law” governing tourists or foreigners and local people to wear a proper attire when riding in rented motorcycles.

Earlier, the bold attire of foreign tourists riding in single motorcycles has generated mixed reactions in social media, particularly on Facebook. Some were able to take photos of riders in slinky attire. There were also photos of foreigners, in bikinis on a motorcycle accosted by Baclayon town policemen and issued citation ticket.

The Land Transportation Office has prohibited the wearing of slippers, shorts and even sleeveless shirts when driving a motorized vehicle. But in actual practice this is not strictly enforced and many drivers have obviously ignored such prohibition.