Issues about back riders

By Leonardo Micua 

THE announcement of Secretary Eduardo Año that beginning July 10 (Friday), motorcycle drivers can have their wives, live-in partners, or even their girlfriends or boyfriends, living under the same roof, as back riders elated many Filipinos no end.

Some said it is long overdue and should have been allowed by IATF from the start of the lockdown to at least spare members of their families the trouble of walking for miles just to reach their respective destinations to procure their needs.

But the proposal is not easy, judging from the conditions attached to this announcement, says Cezar Ramirez, the Philippine Star photo-journalist and Punch, he who rides his motorcycle to cover events, but also needs to bring his wife Grace to her work at the Provincial Capitol on weekdays.

To allow back riders, motorcycle riders are required to install a shield behind him to protect the back rider! Then a costly model shown by MMDA appears to be the most preferable alternative: A backpack to be worn by the driver with an already attached soft shield similar in color and in texture as the backpack.

Many netizens call the idea of installing a separator between the driver and back rider quite insane because husbands and wives sleep together on the same bed at night without anything between them.

Secondly, motorcycle riders already wear crash helmets and the back rider wear facemasks. These already amply ensure their protection from each other.

Another redundant requirement: when flagged down by a traffic enforcer, the driver and the back rider must show proofs of their marital union. And what better and more convenient proof than the IDs of both, bearing the same surname.

However, live-in partners may have a difficult time convincing enforcers because they are not sporting the same surnames.

We suggest that perhaps photos of the living-in partners together or with their children will do. This goes, too, for the sweethearts riding in tandem.

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It is again flood season in Dagupan and many are wondering if, indeed, the Lim administration is keen on living up to its campaign promise, that once elected, flooding in the city will stop, because flooding in the city continues.

We were informed that aside from cleaning the drainage canal on Galvan Street, the Lim administration has not lifted any finger to upgrade it.  Instead, it caused the reversal of the fund allocated for upgrading the stretch to fund other programs deemed to be more urgent.  (The vendors along Galvan street miffed because they are aware that the former administration allocated a budget to raise the street to minimize effects of high tide).

To add insult to injury, Mayor Brian Lim merely distributed platforms, with imprints of Dagupan’s historic past mounted on them, that buyers would step on when buying commodities from vendors. But these were quickly withdrawn after these were seen floating when the tidal water started to set in last month to save face.

In contrast, in Nueva Street whose level already was raised by the past administration, market-goers freely walk without their feet getting wet when going to the Malimgas Market. The Fernandez St. level was also raised, too.

So, it appears that the only solution to the flooding in Dagupan is the elevation of low-lying streets, combined with the continuous dredging of the already heavily silted rivers but the Lim administration is not even considering it. 

The next election is now just around the corner, and Brian has not done anything to mitigate the floods in the city as promised.

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Last Thursday the House of Representatives joint committee hearing on the ABS-CBN was held for the summation of the proceedings.

Both the pros and cons were aired during the joint committee hearing. And there’s nothing said that the Lopez-controlled TV station is not qualified to be issued a new franchise.  In fact, I believe that ABS-CBN is more qualified than other holders of radio-TV franchises in the Philippines today. I understand that our own Congressman Toff de Venecia is for the granting of a franchise to ABS-CBN.

If the final vote will be in the negative, and I hope it won’t be, ABS-CBN will be a goner!

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