Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto expressed concern over the current situation at the Pasig Mega Market transport terminal, where thousands of commuters troop to wait for a ride daily.

“Napaka hirap ng sitwasyon natin ngayon sa sakayan sa Pasig Mega Market. Tuwing umaga, nasa walong libong tao ang nag-aabang ng masasakyan dito (Our situation today at the Pasig Mega Market transport terminal is very difficult. Every morning, about eight thousand people are waiting for a ride here),” Sotto said on Facebook.

The mayor has earlier acknowledged the role of the public market in the city’s local economy, which draws shoppers and traders not just from Pasig but also from nearby cities and provinces.

Sotto said commuters at mega market experience difficulty looking for a ride especially during rush hours amid the limited operation of some modes of public transport in Metro Manila.

“Alam nating bawal pa ang karamihan ng jeep. Ang bus naman, katulad ng biyaheng Pasig-Kalentong, ay limitado rin ang nasasakay (We know that most jeeps are still prohibited to operate. Buses, like the ones plying the Pasig-Kalentong route, are also operating under limited number of passengers),” he said.

“Kaya ang bagal ng usad ng pila pag oras ng pasukan. Hindi rin naman natin sila itataboy, dahil karamihan sa kanila ay papuntang trabaho (So commuters have to wait longer in line for a ride during rush hours. We cannot drive them away either, because most of them are on their way to work),” he added.

Despite of this, Sotto said he is grateful for most of the commuters still observe proper physical distancing protocols.

The Pasig City government is continuously providing its residents with free rides as the number of public transports allowed to operate are still limited.

In his official Facebook page, the mayor shared photos of market team fixing the markers at the transport terminal to make the queue of passengers more organized.