The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has reiterated that the operation of motorcycle taxis (MC Taxi) are allowed, but only for passengers that are classified as Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR).
Under the Omnibus Guidelines on Public Transportation in the enforcement of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) which was published on March 28, 2021, the DOTr and the IATF allows motorcycle taxi operations only “for those considered as APOR”.
Moreover, enforcement agencies shall continue to apprehend informal and illegal MC Taxi services or those colloquially called “habal-habal.”
Who are considered as APOR?
During the first season of ECQ last year, the Philippine National Police released a comprehensive list of industries that the government considers essential. All employees, as well as those working for the support services for these companies, are considered APORs.
Basic Services
These are all medical field employees who are allowed to go outside during the ECQ. This includes all staff members of the DOH, LGU health facilities, hospitals (including janitorial employees), doctors, and private caregivers. Also eligible to travel are funeral services and emergency responders, and staff of the following government agencies: DILG, DSWD, DRRMC, and the BFP.
Daily Essentials
These are employees of banks, money transfer services, supermarkets/groceries/sari-sari stores, convenience stores, public markets, drug stores/pharmacies, and restaurants. All of these are allowed to go to their place of work.
Essential Goods
Cargo trucks delivering essential goods and commodities like food, water, medicine, and other basic necessities are part of the APOR list. However, only a maximum of three delivery personnel are allowed inside the trucks. Workers that are employed by suppliers and manufacturers of basic necessities (food, water, medicine, etc.) are also allowed outside of their residences.
Utilities
Employees working in utility companies are also authorized. Key officials and employees in telecommunication (including cable and internet services), water concessionaires, sanitation firms, as well as energy companies are part of this list. They can also conduct maintenance/customer services if needed. Trucks delivering fuel to gas stations, along with gas station attendants are also authorized.
Other APORs
Aside from those mentioned above, members of skeletal workforces in select government agencies and departments are allowed to travel as well. Some of these agencies include the Securities and Exchange Commission, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Philippine Stock Exchange, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducting data gathering and surveys related to COVID-19, media personalities including those in Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), PAGASA field personnel, and BPO employees setting up work from home stations.
Finally, private individuals that have a quarantine pass can go out amidst the ECQ to avail of basic services like going to the bank or purchasing supplies provided they stay within their cities or municipalities.
Those not included in this list may be delayed or questioned and checkpoints, and possibly detained and charged with violating quarantine protocols.
