On the first day of general community quarantine in Metro Manila, Filipino workers find themselves struggling to find ways to get to their workplaces.
After almost 80 days of strict quarantine protocols, the national government allowed the easement of restrictions for more businesses to reopen in the hopes of propping up the ailing economy.
With only partial resumption of public transportation, not nearly enough for all commuters, thousands of workers find themselves fighting for a chance to make it through the day.
The government continues to seek understanding from the workers, despite having more than 2 months to set up systems before the reopening of the region.
Jeepneys remain off the roads. Public utility buses and UV Express vehicles are still not allowed in the first few weeks of transition to GCQ.
More LRT and MRT-3 train sets are running, but from the 1,000 passengers it used to accommodate per trip, now only 100 passengers are allowed inside the coaches to ensure physical distancing measures are enforced. Temperature checks are conducted before passengers can enter the stations. PNR can only accommodate 35 percent of its normal capacity.
MRT augmentation program has 90 buses, which will only have four pick-up and drop off points along EDSA starting Monday, namely North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Ayala Avenue, and Taft Avenue.
Taxis and point-to-point or P2P buses are allowed under certain conditions, tricycle operations will be subject to the approval of the local government units. Back-riding in motorcycles will remain prohibited.
GrabCar was also allowed to resume operation, but several locations remain unreached by the transport service.
