Jeepneys ‘breach’ health protocols

CEBU, Philippines —  Some traditional and modernized jeepneys in Cebu City are allegedly violating COVID-19 health protocols.

The jeeps are reportedly often packed beyond the allowed capacity and even allowing standing passengers.

Public utility jeepneys are only allowed no more than half of their total capacity or at 50 percent capacity, with commuters sitting a seat apart.

With this, the Cebu City Council has requested the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 and the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) to strictly enforce the minimum safety and health protocols in the city’s public transportation in accordance with the allowed maximum passenger capacity for public transport vehicles.

Councilor Nestor Archival, who sponsored a resolution on the matter, said the minimum safety and health protocols should be consistently and religiously observed and practiced considering that the threat of the COVID-19 virus is still present.

“It has been observed that there are some traditional jeepneys as well as modernized jeepneys which carry passengers more than allowed maximum capacity under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) areas and even allow other passengers to stand inside the vehicle,” said Archival.

Archival said aside from being a violation of the special permits granted to these public utility vehicles (PUVs), these practices are hazardous since the fight against COVID-19 is still ongoing.

To recall, the city deployed Protocol Marshals in its streets to monitor compliance of minimum health protocols in PUVs. They patrol the streets and inspect vehicles randomly.

They are also tasked to lead the information drive on the importance of continuing to follow health standards to avoid further transmission of the virus.

The marshals are from Cebu City Transportation Committee and the Cebu City Jeepney Task Force.

“The #TranspoComMarshals are here to constantly remind us of the importance of the established Safety and Health Protocols in Public Vehicles,” Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, chairperson of the committee on transportation of the Cebu City Council, earlier said. — KQD (FREEMAN)