DOTr orders strict health protocol enforcement in PUVs, terminals

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the strict implementation of health protocols inside public transport vehicles and terminals across the country amid rising cases of COVID-19.

DOTr said on Tuesday that Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade directed all transport sectors to ensure that enforcers and transport marshals are strictly enforcing health protocols.

“The safety of commuters is paramount. I am ordering all transport sectors to strictly enforce the health and safety protocols in order to help prevent the spread of Covid,” Tugade said in a statement.

He has also ordered enforcers from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and train marshals to ensure that proper social distancing is being observed inside public transport vehicles and inside transport terminals.

Enforcers and marshals have also been ordered to ensure that commuters entering terminals and boarding public transport are wearing masks and face shields.

Transport marshals have also been directed to remind commuters not to talk or eat while inside the trains.

“Huwag tayong maging kampante. Ang virus ay nandito pa rin, kaya ugaliin pa rin natin na magsuot ng face masks at face shields lalo na sa loob ng pampublikong transportasyon. Huwag makipagusap o kumain habang nasa loob ng sasakyan. Sundin din natin ang tamang physical distancing,” the Transportation chief said.

(Let us not be complacent. The virus is still here, so we must still wear face masks and shields inside public transport. Don’t talk or eat inside the vehicle. Observe proper social, physical distancing.)

DOTr said Tugade also ordered public transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are safe and properly disinfected.

“Ugaliing i-disinfect ng madalas ang inyong mga sasakyan. Panatilihing strikto ang pagpapatupad ng mga protocols sa loob ng mga istasyon at terminal. Alalahanin po ninyo na kayo ang kapitan ng inyong mga minamanehong sasakyan. Kalakip nyan ang responsibilidad na protektahan ang buhay, kaligtasan at kalusugan ng inyong mga pasahero,” Tugade said.

(Always disinfect vehicles. Maintain strict implementation of protocols inside stations and terminals. Remember that you are the captains of the vehicles you drive. It is your responsibility to protect the life, safety, and health of your passengers.)

The DOTr is also urging commuters to be vigilant against those breaking health protocols.

“We need everyone’s cooperation. We cannot do this alone. Sa mga pasahero, drayber, at operator, magtulungan po tayong lahat. Maging responsable tayo at maging disiplinado,” Tugade said.

As of March 9, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country reached 600,000, with over 41,000 active cases.

READ: PH’s Covid-19 count exceeds 600,000

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