Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) – With public transportation expected to resume but COVID-19 still posing a grave threat, authorities ordered public utility vehicles to list passengers for faster contact tracing should the need arise.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Technical Division head Joel Bolano told CNN Philippines all public utility vehicles will be required to collect necessary information from passengers when operations resume after enhanced community quarantine.
“Isa sa mga regulation natin ngayon under IATF guidelines ng DOTr din ito na kung saan po kailangan natin ng contact tracing,” Bolano said. “Yung pagbibigay natin ng maliit na papel o listahan kung sino po yung magsasakay, paraan ng ating magiging contact tracing.”
[Translation: This is one of the regulations we have today under the guidelines set by IATF and DOTr, which is the need for contact tracing. The form that will be provided to passengers is one way we can do contact tracing.]
According to Bolano, passengers will be handed the form upon entering a public utility vehicle, and will be asked to submit it to the conductor before getting off.
“We have also to be aware roon sa ating mga passenger kasi nga health pa rin ang ating ina-address dito,” Bolano said. “[We will ask for] very minimal information because we are also respecting yung tinatawag po natin privacy law.”
[Translation: We have also to be aware of our passengers because we are still addressing health here. We will ask for very minimal information because we are also respecting passengers right to privacy under the law.]
Bolano advised passengers to also be aware and keep note of the plate number or name of public utility vehicle they ride, and what time they took the ride since this may also be a way to help government do contact tracing.
Commuters can expect a different experience when public transportation resumes, with public utility vehicles ordered to operate at only 50 percent of capacity and ensure physical distancing by placing marks on the seats where passengers should sit, the LTFRB said.
Bolano reassured passengers that fares will not increase post-lockdown, and advised passengers to report erring public utility vehicles.
“So kung ano yung dating pamasahe bago po tayo nag-ECQ, yun pa rin yung pamasahe na inilatag natin,” Bolano said. “Mayroon kaming hotline na 1342 at ang penalty nito ay overcharging, may penalty po itong ₱5,000.”
[Translation: Whatever the fare was before we did ECQ, that will still be the fare now. We have a hotline of 1342 and the penalty for overcharging is ₱5,000.]
Meanwhile, the LTFRB advised PUVs to secure special permits from the agency before they hit the road.
