In support of commuters’ appeal for more public utility vehicles (PUVs), Rizal 2nd District Representative Fidel Nograles on Tuesday, July 20, called on concerned government agencies to have a clear strategy that would solve the lack of public transport options in the Greater Metro Manila Area.

These agencies include the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

“We have to acknowledge that we have an apparent supply problem in the public transportation sector and this is reflected in the daily struggle of commuters. The long lines every morning and late afternoon in key transport hubs should be a wakeup call for us,’’ Nograles said.

Nograles, who authored House Bill 5653, or the Magna Carta of Commuters, also explained that the current pandemic made the public transport supply problem worse because it forces commuters to crowd the limited PUVs available to them.

“This is counterproductive to our policies on social distancing and exposes our already tired commuters to the dangers of COVID-19. And we cannot just simply apprehend drivers who allow passengers to cram in their buses since it is hard for them to stop people from embarking their vehicles. Besides, because of the insufficient PUVs on the road, some terminals and waiting sheds will be jam-packed if commuters will not be allowed to ride,” the neophyte solon said.

“We know that solving our public transport problem is not an easy task. However, we have also seen for the past year how political will can pave the way towards betterment like the EDSA Carousel system, provision of bike lanes, and the service-contracting program of the DOTr. As such, having a clear strategy on satisfying commuter demand for PUVs will really help in ending the daily nightmares of the riding public,” Nograles said.

Nograles is a member of the Metro Manila Development Committee.