Stricter PUV rules in Cebu City to curb rising COVID-19 cases

CEBU, Philippines —  More stringent rules are set to be implemented in public utility vehicles in Cebu City in an effort to help curb a rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city in recent weeks.

In a coordination and consultation meeting, stakeholders and agencies in the transportation sector have agreed to put additional measures in place to address issues on passenger safety capacity and proper ventilation especially that recent study and contact tracing have identified protocol violations at PUVs as having contributed to the increase in cases.

The city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) are reportedly getting more and more reports of these violations, said Kent Jongoy, executive assistant of Councilor James Anthony Cuenco who chairs the city's Jeepney Task Force and the City Council's Committee on Transportation.

Based on the July 15, 2021 data of the Department of Health (DOH)-7, Cebu City has 1,223 active cases after logging 99 new ones that day.

Recently, the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 issued ordered 15 PUV operators to explain why they should not be penalized for alleged violations, including overloading, failure to implement social distancing, absence of plastic barrier, and improper wearing of face mask and face shield.

Jongoy said the committee will come up with uniform signage to be posted on traditional jeepneys, modern jeepneys, taxis, and buses plying the streets of Cebu City.

The signage will indicate the unit's specific passenger limit, which is 75 percent of its original capacity as reflected in its certificate of registration.

"That's no standing, no double-seating, and definitely no angkas and no kapyot," Jongoy said.

The signage will also indicate information on safety protocols and where passengers can complain against violators. Complaints must include the plate number and PUV Type; route description and PUV Company/Cooperative; date and time frame of violation/s; and photo/s of the violations.

Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the EOC, is pushing for opened windows for proper ventilation, as enclosed spaces are more prone to virus transmission.

Jongoy said the committee wants the city allocate funds for the initiative so that the transportation sector will not have to worry about additional expenses.

“We also aim that the coordination meeting will be a regular thing for the PUV stakeholders,” he said.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Cebu City Transportation Office, LTFRB-7, Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7, Cebu City Legal Office, and Cebu City Police Office.

Strengthened Enforcement

Meanwhile, to support the move of the city government, the Cebu City Police Office will deploy more force multipliers to strengthen the enforcement of COVID policies.

"As of now, considering that, according to (Emergency Operations Center) EOC, we have an increase of our positive cases on COVID, we will now focus more on our deployment on specific areas for our Oplan Bulabog and implementation of the minimum health standard protocols in all establishments, starting this evening," said Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, Deputy City Director for Operations, on Friday.

Parilla issued a warning to commercial establishments anew as some were reportedly observed to have relaxed their implementation of health protocols. They will reportedly keep an eye on areas of jurisdiction of the Abellana Police Station and Mabolo Police Stations since these are areas where many commercial establishments operate.

CCPO will also give particular attention to the interiors of barangays where residents are seen to have loosened compliance to minimum health standard protocols.

"So we will focus back didto sa mga remote areas na dili na kaayo maabot; medyo ni-relax na sad and observance sa atong health protocols," Parilla said.

He said Cebu City cannot afford to slide back to stricter quarantine classification.

"Dili na ta musugot nga mutaas pagbalik atong classification sa atong health protocol,” Parilla said.

From July 9 to 15, the city police arrested at least 1,008 individuals during Oplan Bulabog. At least 160 minors were also rescued from the streets. - Dianah Rule D. Salinguhay, CNU Intern, JMO (FREEMAN)