MANILA, Philippines — UV Express units have a better chance of resuming operations than traditional jeepneys under quarantine measures, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said no passengers face each other aboard a UV Express vehicle unlike inside a traditional jeepney.
“I think the UV Express stands a better chance than jeepneys. Because the sitting arrangement is you’re all facing the same direction and there are no passengers facing each other,” Roque said in an interview over ANC, when asked when the two modes of transportation will be allowed to resume operations.
Roque earlier said traditional jeepneys may be allowed back on the roads should other modes of transportation are not sufficient to serve the needs of commuters.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board earlier said it is already studying whether to allow traditional jeepneys to resume operations with the decision coming out within the month.
Modern jeepneys already resumed operations on June 22 or the start of the second phase of the Department of Transportation’s public transport revival.
Private vehicles favored?
Roque also addressed some criticisms that the government’s policies are favoring private vehicles amid the easing of restrictions, saying the government already opened up more modes of public transportation.
“The priority of the IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases] is still upholding public health,” Roque said.
“That is why as far as transportation is concerned, it’s not just cars that have been given priority. We have allowed the PNR, we have allowed the MRT, we have allowed the buses, the Grab, taxis. So it’s not true that the favored mode of transportation is the private,” he added.
Transport groups have criticized the government for its supposed private-vehicle oriented policies.
MoveAsOne coalition, a group of 30 organizations, earlier reportedly urged government agencies to prioritize commuters over the use of private vehicles.