Hinimok ni Sen. JV Ejercitp ang Metro Manila Development Authority na bawasan ang ipinataw na multa para sa motorcycle riders na mahuhuling sumilong sa flyovers, overpasses, footbridges, at train stations kapag malakas ang ulan.
“Maybe it is too hefty. That P1,000 could be the earnings of these delivery riders from days of working. We know for a fact that the courier riders are the ones who help during the pandemic – when we were on lockdown. They survived our economy,” sabi ni Ejercito na isa ring motorcycle rider.
“Although sometimes other motorcycle riders are wrong when they are blocking the entire overpass, that is something I cannot condone,” dagdag niya.
Bilang isang motorcycle rider ay nakikisimptya ang senador sa kapwa riders ngunit nauunawaan din niya ang rationale ng bagong patakaran ng MMDA.
“Perhaps riders should be educated. If there are fines, it should not be as high as P1,000, it is not reasonable. I understood the rationale of the MMDA. Aside from obstruction, it is really dangerous,” sabi ng solon.
“I think both sides have a valid point. We just need to have a middle ground. Maybe the fines should be lowered and riders should wear their raincoats in advance in anticipation of the rains,” giit niya.
Para sa senador, sapat na ang multang P100 hanggang P200, na kung tutuusin ay mabigat pa rin sa bulsa ng riders.
“It is too heavy for a courier rider who earns very little. That money could have been used to feed his family,” sabi niya.
Iminungkahi ni Ejercito sa MMDA na magtayo ng emergency bays upang matugunan ang problema sa obstruction na idinudulot ng motorcycle riders na sumisilong sa overpasses o footbridges kapag malakas ang ulan.
“Maybe the MMDA can bring back emergency bays where deliver riders can stay to wear their raincoats,” aniya.
