77 drivers violating ‘one seat apart’ rule flagged down

CEBU, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 continues to apprehend drivers of public utility vehicles violating the social distancing protocol in a bid to stop the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

LTFRB-7 director Eduardo Montealto said that of the 77 drivers apprehended yesterday for violation of “one seat apart” rule, 75 were jeepney drivers and two, bus drivers.

“Daghan gyud ang nadakpan nga mga jeepney drivers since we implemented the social distancing protocol. Akong panawagan sa atong mga drivers nga motuman lang gyud ta sa social distancing kay para sa kaayuhan ra man sad ni sa tanan aron dili ni mokatag ang COVID-19,” said Montealto.

Those arrested traveled routed within Cebu City, as well as northern and southern Cebu, said Montealto.

Montealto said that violators will be fined P5,000 for the first offense; P10,000 for the second offense and

P15,000 for the third offense, plus suspension of certificate of public convenience for 30 days.

Land Transportation Office-7 Victor Caindec also said that the agency has deputized 500 personnel from the Philippine National  Police to help them assist them in apprehending violators.

Caindec said that the social distancing protocol applied to both public utility and private vehicles.

“We would like to remind the public that even private vehicles should be following social distancing protocols. Since the orders are in place, we caught some private vehicles not complying with it,” said Caindec.

 Caindec also warned public transport operators and their drivers in refusing to transport or carry healthcare workers.

“Alongside LTFRB, we will file appropriate charges against you which may lead to serious long-term consequencesMag tabangay ta. Ayaw mo ug dungag sa problema," said Caindec in his Facebook post. JMD (FREEMAN)