Motorcycle taxi operator Angkas has tapped the University of the Philippines College of Public Health (UP-CPH) to ensure the safety of the motorcycle taxi as a mode of public transportation during the pandemic.
George Royeca, Angkas chief transport advocate, said with proper research and study and strict implementation of health measures, the motorcycle taxi is a viable mode of public transport during the coronavirus pandemic.
Royeca hopes Congress will allow motorcycle taxis to resume operations with the recommendation of health experts.
Angkas tapped the UP-CPH to provide guidelines and recommendations to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the transport industry.
Dr. PM Hernandez of UP-CPH enumerated the highlights of the health protocol to be implemented for motorcycle drivers and passengers.
“Riders can disinfect regularly-touched surfaces frequently. They should also do handwashing and the usual respiratory etiquette. Aside from wearing masks, riders can use their own helmets. The better the ventilation, the higher the wind speed, the more they can access clean air. We can explore barriers in lessening the transmission of the virus once on the motorcycle taxi,” Hernandez said.
