The Department of Transportation (DOTr) issued yesterday transport and travel protocols that will be implemented in the air, maritime, rail, and road transport sectors in the National Capital Region Plus (NCR-plus) and the provinces of Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Bulacan throughout the duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) starting today, March 29.
The protocols shall be in place throughout the NCR-plus from March 29-April 4 during ECQ as imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and approved by President Duterte.
The DOTr said only Authorized Persons Outside of their Residence or APORs are allowed to go out during this period. APORs are basically essential workers and frontliners. They are not restricted by the curfew during the week-long ECQ, which will last daily from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.
"The ID that you would need to show to prove that you're an APOR would depend on which category you belong to as being an APOR. If you're a medical frontliner then just bring your hospital ID to show to those who will be checking," DOTr Usec. Ochie Tuazon said during a virtual press conference.
Top DOTr officials also issued the following guidelines:
- All public transportation will be open but the Seven Public Transport Commandments shall be strictly enforced. These are the wearing of face masks and face shields; no talking and making phone calls; the conduct of frequent disinfection, no passengers with COVID-19 symptoms are allowed; no eating; keeping PUVs well-ventilated, and observing appropriate physical distancing.
- Air transportation shall be allowed to operate at such capacity and following the protocols as provided for by the DOTr in accordance with IATF Resolution 106-A.
- International inbound passenger capacity at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) shall be limited at a maximum of 1,500 passengers per day.
- Domestic commercial operations shall be allowed subject to compliance with the requirements or restrictions on capacity and frequency of flights that may be imposed by all the local government units (LGUs) outside of the NCR-plus bubble.
- Movement of persons shall be limited to essential purpose or activities, and Authorized Persons Outside of their Residence (APORs).
- Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago and DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor said that the maritime and road sectors would both retain 50 percent operating capacity during the ECQ, which will cover the entire Holy Week.
- All types of road-based public utility vehicles (PUVs) such as passenger buses, jeepneys, tricycles, taxis, and transport network vehicle service shall be allowed to operate 24/7 during the ECQ period.
- Maritime transport shall continue to serve the public at 50 percent capacity.
- Passenger capacity and Holy Week maintenance schedule in all operating rail lines will be retained.
- The entry of provincial buses with only APORs as passengers will be allowed provided that these are point-to-point trips.
- PUV operators must ensure that their respective QR codes are displayed on their vehicles.
- The utilization of non-motorized transport and personal mobility device is encouraged.
- Free rides for health workers.
DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1), LRT-2, Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3), and Philippine National Railways (PNR) will retain its operating capacity of 20 to 30 percent.
However, Batan reminded the public that the rail systems are scheduled to undergo maintenance works this Holy Week.
MRT-3 will suspend operations beginning Tuesday, while LRT 1 and 2 will suspend operations on Wednesday.
Normal operations for the trains will resume Monday, April 5.
As for aviation, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said there is no need to limit capacity for airlines during the ECQ.
This is because ridership is already down to as low as 20 percent as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
"A lot of flights have also been cancelled," Arcilla said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Land Transportation Office, the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT), and other IATF authorized personnel will be deployed at strategic locations and conduct daily random inspections of PUV operations, offices, terminals, and depots to ensure strict compliance with the service, sanitary, and operational requirements prescribed by the DOTr.