Jeepney owners and drivers in Iloilo City are elated by the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) eased physical distancing rules in public transportation.
Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Owners and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA) president Raymundo “Boyet” Parcon said the physical distancing deduction would mean more passengers would be allowed to board their units.
“Amat-amat na sini dugang ang mapasakay sang aton mga jeep nga apektado gid sang mga patakaran nga ginpatuman bangud sa COVID-19.”
The gradual reduction of distance between passengers of public utility vehicles (PUVs), which was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19, started on Monday, Sept. 14.
From 1 meter, the required distance inside PUVs was reduced to 0.75 meters. This increased their capacity from one to two passengers or 10-12%.
The distance will be further reduced to 0.5 meters on Sept. 28, then 0.3 meters on Oct. 12.
According to DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon the move to ease the distancing rules in public transport was requested by citizens, in line with the opening up of the economy amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“If there are any problems that we encounter during the two-week period, we will revert back to one meter,” he said in an interview on CNN Philippines’ The Source.
“Now if there are no problems, then we reduce to 0.5. Then for another two weeks, we study it, again, if there are no problems, then maybe we can reduce it to 0.3. It will be something that will be closely monitored, studied, and enforced,” he added.IMT
Photo by Arnold Almacen
