Bikers will be required to present a health certificate or a health clearance from their points of origin to be allowed entry to Atok, Benguet via the Halsema Highway.
In an executive order, Atok Mayor Raymundo Sarac also directed all bikers and motorists to refrain from unnecessary stopovers and visits to tourist spots within the municipality during the modified general community quarantine.
“It was observed during the MGCQ that motorists and bikers are freely traversing Atok via the Halsema Highway, even to the extent of entering provincial and barangay roads of the municipality without proper coordination with the local government unit,” Sarac said.
The mayor said he understands that most of the bikers go out for a ride as a form of exercise and to relieve stress, but he said health protocols must also be followed when traversing the municipality.
The EO requires motorists and bikers to present their health certificates or health clearances at designated checkpoints in the municipality and the itinerary of travel for non-residents must be from point-to-point only, discouraging stopovers unless coordinated with the LGU.
Non-residents are also prohibited to traverse along barangay, municipal, and provincial roads within the municipality.
“Tourism activities within the municipality are still suspended,” he said.
The EO will stand until further notice as a necessary precaution against the Covid-19 pandemic. – Ofelia C. Empian
