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MANILA, Philippines – The government is expected to further reopen the public transportation sector in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Saturday.
Roque said the cabinet will meet Monday to discuss quarantine restrictions, including those on utility vehicles.
“I think it’s safe to say that the transportation sector will reopen even more,” Roque said in a radio interview.
He noted that in areas under GCQ, 50 percent of companies can operate.
But the public transportation available is only 30 percent, he said.
“So we really need to provide an additional 20 percent transportation so that half of the workers can report to their jobs,” he said.
Mototaxis
He said that in addition to reviewing the rule of 1 meter distance between passengers, the government is studying allowing the resumption of motorcycle taxis.
In an Oct. 5 resolution, the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) endorsed the request of the mayors of Metro Manila that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) resume its pilot study of motorcycle taxis, pending of the approval of pertinent legislation.
Motorcycle taxis are not allowed in the country unless there is a new law that classifies them as public transportation.
They were allowed to operate in the months leading up to the pandemic’s close while the government studied their safety and feasibility as a form of public transportation.
Transportation officials said they saw no problem with the possible resumption of motorcycle taxi operations, as it could greatly help commuters facing public transportation constraints due to the pandemic.
“As part of the IATF, DOTr, undersecretary [Arthur] Tugade recognizes how motorcycle taxis can help transport our compatriots to their destination, especially now that public transport is operating at reduced capacity, ”said Transportation Undersecretary Goddes Libiran in a television interview on Friday.
Libiran said Tugade “has no problem” with motorcycle taxis returning to the streets, “as long as there is an appropriate congressional resolution” to conduct the pilot study and that drivers and passengers comply with established health and safety guidelines. by the government. .
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