Solon calls for deployment of barangay health workers in transport terminals
MANILA, Phillippines — Barangay health workers (BHWs) should be deployed in transport terminals to ensure that health protocols are being implemented as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, a lawmaker proposed Thursday.
ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo said that BHWs are needed to make sure that minimum health standards are enforced and to conduct symptoms screening on commuters and drivers alike.
Tulfo, in a statement, also said that the BHWs should maintain and safely keep contact tracing records.
“Now that public transport is gradually opening up, I believe there is an urgent need to mobilize and deploy more barangay health workers to transport terminals and designated pick-up points within their barangays,” Tulfo said.
With this, Tulfo said that BHWs “deserve ample benefits” such as honoraria, hazard allowance, subsistence allowance , transportation allowance and some non-cash compensation.
Commuters safer with windows open
Tulfo likewise noted that advisories from international organizations such as the US Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, European Union, Australia Department of Health, and Hong Kong’s Center for Public Health include recommendation for fresh air, open windows, open air spaces, and non-recirculation of air in enclosed spaces.
“Their guidance, I believe, constitute more than enough sound, rational inputs to the Philippines’ adoption of public transport and workforce policies to gradually allow strictly enforced gradual resumption of public transport nationwide, including public utility jeepneys, motorcycle taxis, buses, and UV express,” Tulfo said in a statement.
“Mas safe ang mga pasahero kapag bukas ang mga bintana, nakataas ang mga trapal, at naka-off ang aircon. Importanteng naka-face mask, walang sintomas ng COVID-19 tulad ng pag-uubo at lagnat, at hindi siksikan sa loob ng sasakyan ang sinumang nasa pampublikong sasakyan,” the lawmaker added.
(Commuters are safer if windows are open and air-conditioning units are turned off. It is important to wear face masks, there are no symptoms such as coughing or fever, and public transport units are not crowded with passengers.)
Further, Tulfo said that alcohol and hand sanitizers should always be available in public transport units.
Currently, a two-phase resumption of public utility vehicles (PUVs) is being implemented, guided by a “hierarchy of transport” wherein priority is given to vehicles which could accommodate more people.
The first phase allows trains, bus augmentations, point-to-point buses, taxis, transport network vehicles and tricycles to resume operations while the second phase deals with modern jeepneys and UV Express vans.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra bared Wednesday that UV express units and traditional jeepneys will be allowed to travel on roads in Metro Manila starting next week.
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