IATF affirms exemption of PUVs from local curfews

FILE: New public utility jeepneys of the Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative are parked along W. Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City on Monday (June 8, 2020). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – Public utility vehicles (PUVs) no longer have to worry about curfews.

This after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) affirmed exemption of PUVs from local curfew ordinances under Resolution No. 47.

Modern PUVs will be allowed to ply roads when the second phase of transport resumption kicks off on Monday (June 22).

Under the resolution, only non-workers in areas placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), general community quarantine (GCQ), and modified GCQ will be covered by the curfew.

“[Local government units] are enjoined to enact the necessary ordinances to enforce curfew only for non-workers in jurisdiction placed under MECQ, GCQ, and MGCQ to penalize, in a fair and humane manner, violations of the restrictions on the movement of people as provided under these Omnibus Guidelines,” the resolution read.

The IATF-EID also urged law enforcement agencies to treat curfew violators fairly and humanely.

“Law enforcement agencies in implementing and enforcing said curfew ordinances are likewise strongly enjoined to observe fair and human treatment of curfew violators. Public transportation, however, shall not be restricted by such curfew ordinances,” it added.

Besides PUVs, public utility buses (PUBs) and UV Express with limited passenger capacity will also be allowed when the second phase of the resumption of transportation starts.

Currently, only train and bus augmentation, bus augmentation units, taxis and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS), shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles are allowed.

Malacañang earlier said backriding on motorcycles will soon be allowed despite the strict quarantine restrictions to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The IATF-EID ordered the departments of Transportation, Science and Technology, and Health; the Metro Manila Development Authority; and the Bureau of Philippine Standards to look for the “safest and effective” manner to ensure the safe backriding amid the outbreak.

The government has imposed a “no backride” policy amid the nationwide community quarantine due to health safety reasons.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque expressed hope that the second phase of transport resumption would provide commuters with relief.

Around 3,600 PUBs and 1,500 other transport vehicles are expected to operate in Metro Manila starting Monday.

“Siguro matatapos na iyong hinagpis natin sa kakulangan ng public transportation beginning June 22 po (Perhaps the suffering of our citizens in terms of lack of public transportation will end starting June 22),” he said.

Roque, however, reminded the public to still observe physical distancing while a vaccine against Covid-19 has yet to be developed.