CEBU CITY—With the return of several traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) on the streets of this city, the public was reminded to observe minimum health standards to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
This reminder was made by Police Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, director of the Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO 7) as he said the police will help city personnel in strictly monitoring the observance of health protocols in jeepneys.
"We should always check minimum health standards because if not, we will enforce the law," said Ferro in a press conference Friday, November 20.
Prior to the press briefing, the Cebu City Jeepney Task Force, through the Balik Pasada Program, allowed jeepneys to resume plying in Barangays Guadalupe, Lahug and Carbon Public Market.
Ferro said the resumption of some jeepney operations was just a test run.
Ferro said he will push for stoppage of the test run if problems will arise.
"If things will be problematic, we might recommend its stoppage before the collegial body in the region, the IATF (Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease)," said Ferro.
Ferro said measures have been taken before the resumption of some jeepney operations was allowed.
"I have been informed that all PUJ drivers have been tested. But you also have to measure the risk as against the benefits. We recognize that this will somehow alleviate the economic plight of our jeepney drivers," Ferro said.