PITX operations halted amid Luzon-wide quarantine

Ticketing counters, boarding gates, and separate arrival and departure areas are some of the features of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), which opened on November 5, 2018. (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) stopped operations Tuesday as the government imposed a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine in a bid to curb the spread of COVID019.

In a statement, PITX management said the stoppage, albeit temporary, will be “until further notice.” The government said the enhanced community quarantine will be in effect all over Luzon until April 12, 2020.

PITX also apologized to stranded passengers, saying it would ask assistance from government agencies to help the affected passengers.

In a separate statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it has deployed two buses to PITX and offered free rides to 50 passengers going to Cavite.

PCG assured COVID-19 health protocols such as checking of body temperature and social distancing were put in place when it ferried the passengers.

PITX, located in Southern Metro Manila, caters to provincial buses outside the greater Metro Manila area to ensure that only city buses will traverse along Edsa.

Under the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine, public transportation such as buses, jeepneys, taxis, transport network vehicle services, FX, UV Express, point-to-point buses, and motorcycle taxis shall be suspended to control the movement of people and avoid the transmission of COVID-19.

KGA