Olongapo allows motorbike backriding

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — Backriding on motorcycles is now allowed in this city.

Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. issued an executive order on Thursday allowing motorcycle riders with an angkas pass issued by the mayor’s office to have a backrider.

A photocopy of the driver’s license, official receipt and certificate of registration of the motorcycle and a certification from the barangay that the driver and backrider live in the same house are the requirements to get an angkas pass.

The driver can submit two names of his prospective backrider.

Paulino said the pass is limited to city residents.

He said a quarantine or work pass is still required for those going out of their house while the city is under general community quarantine.

Paulino said the angkas pass is applicable only for those going out to work, buy essential items or seek medical services.

He said anyone caught with a backrider with no angkas pass faces sanctions under existing laws and city ordinance.

Several local government officials have asked the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to allow motorcycle backriding at least for couples or immediate family members to address lack of public transportation.