Marshals told to report PUVs violating protocols

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has requested the Citizens Protocol Enhancement Marshals under the Office of the Vice Mayor to include in its scope the enforcement of safety and health protocols in all public utility vehicles in the city.

The council likewise authorized all team of marshals to enforce the PUV safety and health protocols in all PUVs in the city and report to the Committee on Transportation any violations committed by any and all operator, driver, conductor and/or commuter for appropriate action.

Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, chairman of the committee on transportation, sponsored the resolution on the matter, which was approved by the City Council Wednesday.

“Since October 2020, the Committee on Transportation and Cebu City Jeepney Task Force have been receiving numerous of complaints and reports from concerned citizens of the blatant violations of the established Safety and Health Protocols committed by PUV drivers, conductors, and commuters,” said Cuenco.

Cuenco said there is a need to augment the present Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) field personnel and other law enforcement agencies in order to fully enforce and strictly implement these protocols.

To recall, the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 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.

Following this, 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.

Kent Jongoy, executive assistant of Cuenco, said the transportation committee will come up with uniform signages to be posted on traditional jeepneys, modern jeepneys, taxis, and buses plying the streets of Cebu City.

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

The signages 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. —JMD (FREEMAN)