The government cannot allow all modes of transportation to resume operations due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) threat, Malacañang said on Sunday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said allowing a hundred percent of PUVs to return to roads would put to waste government efforts to flatten the curve or slow down the rate of Covid-19 infection.
“At this juncture, we still cannot let all modes of transportation to be on the streets. This will defeat the purpose of quarantine. Unless a vaccine or cure is available, we must not let our guards down,” he said.
Resumption of public transport will happen in two phases.
Phase 1, which will be from June 1 -21, 2020, includes train and bus augmentation, public utility buses (PUBs), taxis and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS), shuttle services, point-to-point buses, public utility buses and bicycles.
For Phase 2, modern public utility vehicles, and UV express will be added from June 22-30, 2020.
The spokesperson also reiterated his appeal to the private sector to provide shuttle services to their employees.
“What the administration is doing is balancing the need to revitalize the economy so that we can have livelihood and jobs while looking out for and protecting the health and safety of the public as well,” he said.
