By John Clifford Lintao
IT’S almost certain that the National Capital Region (NCR) would be back under a relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) protocol, citing decreasing number of COVID-19 cases in the region.
Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivares, in his capacity as Metro Manila Council chairperson, hinted at seeing Metro Manila’s 16 cities and lone municipality resuming economic activities, complemented by more public utility vehicles (PUVs) as per announcement from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
According to LTFRB, an additional 968 traditional public utility jeepneys will ply 15 routes in the NCR for the expected return of the metropolis to GCQ status on Aug. 19.
Olivarez said the implementation of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila has been effective.
“Kung magtutuloy ‘tong trend natin mula pa noong August 4, most probably magdyi-GCQ na tayo,” said Olivares adding that the decrease of active COVID-19 cases in Parañaque City from 876 on August 4 to 651 on Wednesday would be significant consideration on their effort to contain local contamination.
On Monday, Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana, who is also the chairman of the National Task Force on COVID-19, likewise said Metro Manila could be placed under GCQ after August 18.
Anticipating another community quarantine downgrade, the LTFRB also announced that it is going to implement an earlier plan for the operations of PUJs in Metro Manila under GCQ.
On July 31, before the NCR was reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status for 15 days (Aug. 4 to 18), upon the appeal of the health community, the LTFRB through a memorandum circular (MC) planned to put back on roads additional 968 traditional PUJs by August 5.
But the LTFRB then put on hold its plan after President Rodrigo Duterte gave way to the medical community’s call for a “time out” and placed the NCR and neighboring provinces under MECQ.
Based on the shelved LTFRB MC 2020-029A, PUJs plying the 15 designated routes would be allowed to operate without securing a special permit.
But instead of a special permit they are required to secure a QR Code that should be printed and displayed in the jeepney unit. Additionally, PUJ units should be certified roadworthy by the LTFRB.
There should be no fare increase, the LTFRB reminded the PUJ drivers.
Moreover, drivers must observe COVID-19 protocols and health measures laid down by the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), including checking on body temperature, wearing of face mask, and practicing social distancing.
Also, as recently approved, wearing of face shields is mandatory in all public transport modes.