MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) stated that there will be no changes in public transportation supply and capacity as the National Capital Region (NCR), Laguna, and Bataan were downgraded from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to the less restrictive modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from August 21 to 31.
With the continuous spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and the threat posed by new Covid-19 variants, DOTr Secretary Art Tugade advised commuters and transportation personnel to follow strict health and safety protocols.
As defined by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), he stated again that only Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs) will be permitted to use public transportation.
“As the threat of Covid-19 and Delta variant cases soar, the public should remain vigilant, especially in using public transport. Just like during the ECQ period, there will be stricter enforcement of safety measures to ensure that only APORs are permitted to use public transport, as mandated by the IATF,” Tugade said in a news release on Friday.
With the implementation of the MECQ in the NCR, public transportation and all other modes of transportation – privately owned, with special permits, and/or dedicated service under government initiative, for example – will continue to adhere to the prescribed physical distancing and health measures at all times.
On a “one-seat-apart” rule, public utility buses and jeepneys are authorized to operate at 50 percent of their maximum capacity. There will be no standing passengers allowed, and only one passenger will be permitted to sit in the driver’s row.
Motorcycle taxi services and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) operations are allowed. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Local Government Units (LGUs) have approved only one passenger per tricycle, in accordance with existing policies on its operational limitations.
In the railway sector, the Philippine National Railways (PNR), LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 would continue to operate during the MECQ. Train marshals will be on the lookout for APORs and will assist in enforcing strict health and safety regulations.
In the aviation and maritime sectors, domestic flights and sea travel in the NCR will also continue during the MECQ, subject to community quarantine rules of the passenger’s destination.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) and transport marshals will continue to enforce safety measures during the MECQ.
Tugade reminded the public and other transportation stakeholders to follow the 7 Commandments for Public Transportation, which include wearing masks and face shields, no talking or making phone calls, no eating, keeping public utility vehicles well-ventilated, practicing frequent disinfection, not allowing passengers with Covid-19 symptoms inside public transportation vehicles, and observing appropriate physical distancing protocol.
