CEBU, Philippines — Starting today, public utility vehicles in Cebu Province are now allowed to operate at full capacity.
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has issued an executive order “refining the regulations pertinent to the public transport vehicles operating within the Province of Cebu”.
As full seating capacity for PUVs are already allowed, Garcia reminded the drivers of public transport vehicles like taxi, bus, mini bus, jeepney and UV Express that jump seats and standing on the aisles while the vehicle is in transit are prohibited.
The drivers and conductors are also required to wear face mask. Wearing of personal air purifier, however, is no longer mandatory but “highly encouraged”.
Operators are required to submit their vehicles to a regular disinfection.
“PUV shall regularly disinfect all surfaces, especially seats, armrests, and handles, with disinfecting agents and ultraviolet germicidal light. Driver and conductors are required to wear face masks while wearing of personal air purifier is strongly encouraged,” read a portion of the EO No. 7 of Garcia issued on February 28, 2022.
Aside from the permit from Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, PUVs must also secure from the Capitol a provincial public utility vehicle pass which contains the plate number of the vehicle including its control number, permitted seating capacity, QR code and signature of the governor and the provincial administrator.
PUVs exiting from the north and south bus terminals must also secure a trip ticket bearing a QR code, plate number of the vehicle, date of trip, its route, control number, permitted seating capacity, actual number of passengers on board, notice of last disinfection, and signature of the dispatcher.
Police personnel are tasked to install checkpoints for monitoring of the compliance of PUVs. Those who will be found violating the protocols will be prohibited from proceeding to its destination and will be sanctioned in accordance with the rules of LTFRB and Land Transportation Office (LTO).
The operator must provide another vehicle to transport the affected passengers going to their destination.
Meanwhile, Cebu Province will also start accepting unvaccinated and partially vaccinated foreign nationals travelling to the province starting today. — FPL (FREEMAN)