By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang said that local government units (LGUs) and law enforcers should follow the guidelines set by the government's pandemic task force on transportation and not implement their own.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that public buses and jeepney would still be barred in Metro Manila even if the region shifts to general community quarantine (GCQ). In his Thursday presser, Roque said that the guidelines set by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will always take precedence. "Matagal na po 'yang GCQ scheme na in-approve ng IATF upon recommendation of the DOTr (Department of Transportation). 'Yan po ang ipatutupad (The GCQ scheme approved by the IATF upon the recommendation of the DOTr has already been there for a while now. That is what will be implemented)," he said. Roque said he clarified this with Interior Secretary Eduardo Año after some government officials made different pronouncements. "IATF will take precedence," he said. "Babalik at babalik po tayo sa IATF guidelines, from 10 to 50 percent po ang pagbalik ng public transportation (We will always go back to the IATF guidelines. Public transportation will return and will carry 10 to 50 percent of its capacity," he added. MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia announced this week that buses and jeepneys will still be prohibited once Metro Manila shifts to GCQ, saying authorities will have a difficult time monitoring these vehicles and physical distancing would also be difficult to observe. He, however, said taxis, ride-hailing services, and tricycles may resume operations as they can only ferry a limited number of passengers. The proposed transportation guidelines were unanimously backed by the Metro Manila Council, composed of mayors of the region. The council likewise recommended placing Metro Manila under GCQ starting June 1. Metro Manila has been under the enhanced community quarantine since March before it shifted to Modified ECQ on May 15.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that public buses and jeepney would still be barred in Metro Manila even if the region shifts to general community quarantine (GCQ). In his Thursday presser, Roque said that the guidelines set by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will always take precedence. "Matagal na po 'yang GCQ scheme na in-approve ng IATF upon recommendation of the DOTr (Department of Transportation). 'Yan po ang ipatutupad (The GCQ scheme approved by the IATF upon the recommendation of the DOTr has already been there for a while now. That is what will be implemented)," he said. Roque said he clarified this with Interior Secretary Eduardo Año after some government officials made different pronouncements. "IATF will take precedence," he said. "Babalik at babalik po tayo sa IATF guidelines, from 10 to 50 percent po ang pagbalik ng public transportation (We will always go back to the IATF guidelines. Public transportation will return and will carry 10 to 50 percent of its capacity," he added. MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia announced this week that buses and jeepneys will still be prohibited once Metro Manila shifts to GCQ, saying authorities will have a difficult time monitoring these vehicles and physical distancing would also be difficult to observe. He, however, said taxis, ride-hailing services, and tricycles may resume operations as they can only ferry a limited number of passengers. The proposed transportation guidelines were unanimously backed by the Metro Manila Council, composed of mayors of the region. The council likewise recommended placing Metro Manila under GCQ starting June 1. Metro Manila has been under the enhanced community quarantine since March before it shifted to Modified ECQ on May 15.