DILG to police: set a good example, install barriers

DILG says police should set a good example and install backrider shield

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), undersecretary, Jonathan Malaya, said in a statement that policemen and their backrider should set an example to the public. He suggests the law enforcers be the first to install the required backrider shield, or else lose credibility.

_{Photo submitted through the Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) page}

“When the public sees the law enforcers backriding and yet utilizing motorcycles without protective barriers, we lose our credibility,” said Malaya during the Laging Handa public briefing.

To set a good example, Malaya added, PNP personnel who are also couples, should be the first ones to install the barrier.

“We wish to remind all men and women of the PNP who are couples to be the first in installing these barriers in their motorcycles as a good example to the public.”

Backrider shield is “safe”

Echoing what interior secretary Eduardo Año and JTF COVID Shield commander, Guillermo Eleazar have earlier stated, Malaya has also insisted that the IATF-approved design for the backrider shield is safe for the riding public. Motorcycle-related accidents were already high even before the requirement of the barrier.

“We do not see this as a possible safety concern. They [motorcycle riders] just need to be careful because even if there are no physical barriers, accidents happen especially when they are riding motorcycles as compared to four-wheel vehicles."

The government will start to “strictly implement” the new backriding protocol starting next week, Monday, July 27, 2020. Violators will be slapped with a penalty of no less than PhP5,000 for failure to comply.

Source: Philippine News Agency