Senator Risa Hontiveros has urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to allow more traditional buses and jeepneys to ply the usual routes in Metro Manila and provinces as the nation slowly slips back to normal under Alert Level 2.

Hontiveros said the DOTr should increase the number of public transportation that can be made available to the public, especially those on the routes recently recommended by consultants of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The senator added this can be done even only on a provisional basis, and without derailing the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program to ensure the safety of commuters.

“Ang siksikang pampublikong transportasyon ay COVID superspreader. Kaya panahon na para payagan muna uli ng DoTr na bumyahe ang mga traditional buses at jeepneys at magbukas ng mga bagong ruta, lalo pa at inaasahang mas marami na ang mga commuters (A congested public transportation could be a COVID superspreader. It’s time the DOTr allows more traditional buses and jeepneys to open new routes especially since we expect a surge of commuters),” Hontiveros said.

She noted that even though authorities have lifted curfew ordinances due to a decline in COVID-19 cases, and passenger capacity of PUVs has been increased to 70 percent, it does not mean restrictions could be “relaxed.”

The lawmaker said it is important to deploy a sufficient number of PUVs along EDSA to prevent passengers from sitting in close proximity to each other.

“Magandang balita na bumababa na ang kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa, pero hindi tayo dapat makampante (It’s good to hear that the COVID-19 cases in the country is getting lower, but we should not be complacent),” she said.

“Kailangang matiyak na may sapat na bilang ng pumapasadang jeep, bus at UV express para ligtas, hindi nagsisiksikan, at may physical distancing pa rin para maiwasan ang pagkalat muli ng virus, (We need to make sure there are enough jeepneys, buses and UV express that are safe to ride on and observing physical distancing to prevent the spread of the virus), " Hontiveros said.

“Ituloy natin ang strict implementation ng health protocols lalo na't hindi pa nagsisimula ang pagbabakuna ng booster shots (Let’s continue the strict implementationof health protocols especially since the government has yet to start administering booster shots),” she added.

Earlier, Hontiveros urged the DOTr to expand its service contracting program to address the plight of both drivers and commuters amid price hikes in petroleum products.

According to the senator, allowing more drivers of modern jeepneys and buses to ply the usual routes would also be a win-win situation for both the drivers and commuters.