ILOILO City – To ensure physical distancing while enforcing the 70 percent capacity inside public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in this city, Councilor Romel Duron is proposing to put markings on passengers’ seats.
Mayor Jerry Treñas’ Executive Order No. 132 allows public utility vehicles to operate at full capacity and ditch plastic barriers, provided they maintain adequate social distancing (one seat apart) and strict observance of other health protocols.
However, Duron said guidelines from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) must prevail: drivers must comply with the 70 percent seating capacity.
Earlier, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) approved the recommendation of the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB in Region 6 to implement the gradual increase in passenger capacity in public transportation, including road and railway systems for one month until they reach full capacity.
“Pursuant to the recommendation of the DOTr, the IATF-issued Resolution No. 146, series of 2021, dated 28 October 2021, granting the increase in passenger capacity starting at 70%,” the memorandum read.
Duron said he would convene the LTFRB-6 and the transport sector on Nov. 17.
The city dad was reacting to reports of passengers cramped inside barrier-less jeepneys in the metro.
The president of Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers’ Association (ICLAJODA), Raymundo Parcon, backed Duron’s proposal.
“Ang health protocols dapat sundon gid,” said Parcon.
Currently, Parcon said they are waiting for the instruction of the city council and LTFRB-6 if there would be an alternative to the plastic dividers.
“Kon may ara na updan naton ina. Para man sa kaayuhan naton,” he added./PN
