(FILE) More passengers ride the MRT Line 3 in North Avenue, Quezon City, Oct.19, as the Department of Transportation allows the MRT/ LRT/ PNR to operate to 30% from 13% this October to allow more commuters to ride the public transport by observing minimum health protocols. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila mayors have recommended that public transport capacity be increased once Metro Manila is placed under the least restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) by March, Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said on Friday.
“That’s the proposal of NEDA [National Economic and Development Authority] that we increase our public transportation from 50 to 75 percent [capacity]. We are one in that, we need to expand and have more higher frequency travels to provide safe and Covid free, and viable in terms of cost of public transport system,” said Teodoro in an ANC interview, when sought for comment about Metro Manila shifting to MGCQ.
“Because, as we speak, people now are congesting in terminals and lining up a longer period of the time so exposure to threats of Covid-19 is very high,” he added.
The local chief executives in Metro Manila have also appealed to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to craft transport guidelines for the mass transport system in MGCQ areas, Teodoro added. The mayors of Metro Manila compose the Metro Manila Council (MMC) which is the policy-making body for Metro Manila.
“We want to see the DOTr guidelines on this matter because under the rule when you should shift to MGCQ, guidelines should be issued by the Department of Transportation but this is still not being done as we speak,” the Marikina City mayor said.
In a previous Inquirer report, all modes of transportation will be allowed but commuters must observe a minimum of 1-meter social distance.
However, the transport department has yet to release its MGCQ guidelines.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) earlier approved the proposal to place areas, including Metro Manila, under MGCQ by March.
The MMC has agreed to recommend the shift to MGCQ by March, with a majority of the 17 mayors voting in favor of the change in lockdown restrictions.
Malacañang supports the NEDA proposal to shift to MGCQ, citing losses in income and addressing hunger and poverty issues.