Eighty-nine motorcycle drivers were fined in North Cotabato since the Aug. 1 implementation of the “No barrier, No back ride” policy issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Data from the North Cotabato Police Provincial Office showed that of the total, 47 motorcycle drivers who failed to install the required separators were given citation tickets: 21 were from Banisilan; President Roxas (10); Carmen (9); Pigcawayan (5); and Pikit (2).

Ten riders each from the towns of Pigcawayan and President Roxas were also stopped at checkpoints due to unauthorized back riding with no barriers.

Twenty-two drivers – 20 in Pigcawayan and two in Carmen – were also fined for having installed barriers but with no motorcycle legal documents.

“All violators have to pay the corresponding fines for their first offense through their respective local government units as specified on their citation tickets,” Lt. Col. Realan E. Mamon, the provincial police-community relations officer, said.

Based on the guidelines issued by the Philippine National Police in coordination with the Land Transportation Office, the imposition of fines ranges from PHP1,000 to PHP10,000 depending on repeated violations.

Early on, several sectors and local leaders here strongly opposed the implementation of the new motorcycle back riding policy due to alleged dangers it poses to both driver and back rider.

In addition, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod have also unanimously approved the passage of a resolution requesting the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) to reconsider the enforcement of mounting motorcycle barrier as a measure to contain Covid-19. (PNA)