ILOILO City – While public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators welcome the gradual easing of the physical distancing measure in public transport, commuters are uneasy.
The move, which aims to revitalize the country’s economy slowed down by the coronavirus pandemic, could further expose them to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), they say.
Physical distancing, also called social distancing, means keeping a safe space between one’s self and other people.
“Kun mas lapit ang distansyahanay, mas delikado,” said Margie Sorial of Barangay Ungka, Jaro district.
Sorial takes a public utility jeepney every day to work at a commercial establishment.
She told Panay News keeping the Department of Health’s (DOH) physical distancing advisory of at least a meter between people is better.
Jessa Mae Camacho of Cabatuan, Iloilo is also against the easing of the physical distancing measure in public transport.
“It’s not safe for us. Sa one meter social distancing gani may local transmission pa, ano na gid kun less than one meter distance,” said Camacho who commutes daily from Cabatuan to Iloilo City where she works.
But she also acknowledged that even without this new directive from the inter-agency task force and national task force on COVID-19 and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) gradually reducing the physical distance between commuters inside public transport, drivers have long been not observing the one-meter distance rule.
“Sa pagkamatuod, halos plastic barrier na gid lang ang nagapatunga sa kada pasahero,” said Camacho.
Why practice physical distancing?
COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact for a prolonged period. Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
The droplets can also be inhaled into the lungs.
Recent studies indicate that people who are infected but do not have symptoms likely also play a role in the spread of COVID-19. Since people can spread the virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay away from others when possible.
TRANSPORT SECTOR HAPPY
But while commuters are apprehensive, drivers and operators of public utility jeepneys are happy. A reduction in physical distance between passengers means they could accommodate more people.
From the one-meter distance, DOTr will reduce the space between commuters inside public transportation to 0.75 meters.
The distance will be reduced further to 0.5 meters after two weeks, then down to 0.3 after another 14 days.
Edgar Salarda, president of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide-Panay, said the increase in seating capacity would mean better income for drivers and operators.
In the one-meter distance rule between passengers, he said, a jeepney could only accommodate a maximum of 10 people (five on each side). If the distance is reduced to 0.75 meters, the seating capacity would increase to 12 or 13, he said.
The Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association welcomed, too, the easing of physical distancing.
“Kay ti sa pila ka bulan nag-antos kita sang 50 percent (passenger capacity) lang,” said President Raymundo Parcon.
He does not believe the move would result to COVID-19 transmissions because drivers would continue to enforce protocols such as requiring passengers to wear facemask and face shield.
“No facemask, no face shield, no ride,” said Parcon.
COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. A person can also contract the virus when they touch a surface with the said droplets then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Rizal Alido, board secretary of the Iloilo City Alliance of Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative, agreed with Parcon and Salarda.
“Mga drivers and operators dugay na nagabakho,” he said. “Indi kita magpadaog sa COVID-19.”
Jeepney driver Rafael Prudente agreed. “Puede madugangan duha amon pasahero, ti yadi pa,” he said.
“Sa subong tama gid ka pigado ang kita sang salakyan. Naga-pamierdihan kami. Waay man sang nagalagaw. Ang may importante lang nga lakat ang amon pasahero. Mga shoppers daw wala gid,” he added./PN
