The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Wednesday that buses and jeepneys cannot operate even if the National Capital Region shifts to a general community quarantine (GCQ).
MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said that monitoring buses and jeepneys would be tough as passengers usually get on and off anywhere they pleased.
“Mahirap pong i-control dito iyong physical distancing; alam naman po natin ang jeep natin at bus, stop and go iyan, magsasakay, magbababa. So, medyo mahirap pong i-monitor,” Garcia said during the Laging Handa briefing.
Transportation Network Vehicle Services, taxis, tricycles and other public utility vehicles using point-to-point systems will be allowed to operate, he said.
MMDA also presented a modified number coding system, which will allow private vehicles with at least two passengers even on days when they are banned.
“Dadami na naman iyong ating mga sasakyan, so puwede nating ibalik ang coding, pero may incentive po ‘no. Kasi imbes na hindi mo magagamit ang iyong sasakyan during your coding day papayagan na po natin ito basta at least dalawa po ang sakay. Ang atin pong idea rito is para ma-maximize natin ang labas ng lahat ng sasakyan at matulungan din natin iyong lack of public transportation,” Garcia said.
The recommendation to a GCQ transition by the Metro Manila Council, composed of the capital region’s 17 mayors, will allow for the restarting of the economy, with equal consideration for public health, according to Garcia. John Ezekiel J. Hirro