By Argyll Geducos and Alexandria San Juan  If jeepneys will be able to modify their seating arrangement to ensure that there will be physical distancing inside the vehicle, then the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases may consider allowing them to operate under general community quarantine (GCQ), Malacañang said on Saturday. Public utility jeepneys (PUJ) pass along Quezon Avenue (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after transport groups objected to the decision of the government to bar jeepneys from operating under GCQ while other modes of public transportation were allowed. In an interview over state-run PTV-4, Roque asked for the understanding of jeepney drivers and operators, explaining that they are not allowed to operate because it is difficult to ensure physical distancing inside jeepneys. "Eh, ang mga jeepney po kasi harapan, so napakahirap na magkaroon ng social distancing (People in jeepneys are seated facing each other, so it's really difficult to have physical distancing)," he said yesterday. He said the IATF will continue reviewing the fate of jeepneys, but hinted that it will be better if owners of traditional jeepneys can modify their seats into something similar to that of prototype modernized jeepneys. “There are prototype jeepneys where passengers can only occupy every other seat. If all jeepneys can change their seats to something like that, then the IATF will consider it," Roque said in Pilipino. Work scheme With the absence of jeepneys and the limited operations of public transportation, Roque urged employers to maintain a 50-50 work scheme or implement a rotating schedule so not all of their workers have to travel to their workplace. “I appeal to employers to implement measures that will not require the presence of all their workers in the office," he said in Pilipino. "Imposible rin naman pong magsocial distancing kung babalik tayo sa dati (Anyway, it's impossible to implement social distancing if we will return to previous arrangements)," he added. Trains, buses Under the GCQ, the LRT and MRT trains will be allowed to operate at 10 to 12 percent of their capacity, while the Philippine National Railways may operate up to 35 percent. To make up for the limited capacity of the railways, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will deploy at least 300 buses to ply the same route as these train lines. Taxis, TNVS Meanwhile, more than 5,000 taxis and ride-hailing cars are set to resume their operations in Metro Manila on Monday upon transition of the region to GCQ, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced. Based on the data from the LTFRB, it showed that a total of 5,526 taxi and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) units have been approved by the Board to go back on the road and ferry passengers in the capital region. Of the total permitted units, 3,501 are taxis while 2,025 are TNVS from various transport network companies (TNCs), the LTFRB explained. “We are delighted that our taxis and TNVS drivers will be back in their jobs to serve our commuters,” LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said in Pilipino. Observe safety protocols With this, Delgra reminded anew drivers and operators to strictly observe the protocols set by the DOTr in relation to the guidelines of the health authorities. These include the mandatory wearing a face mask and gloves, frequent cleaning and disinfecting of units, installing barriers made from non-permeable and transparent materials, compliance with the passenger seating capacity, and the availability of a "daily passenger manifest" or logbook containing information of passengers for contact tracing purposed. No fare increase Despite the limited passenger capacity to be imposed in all modes of public transportation, the DOTr and the LTFRB assured that there are no plans, for now, to charge higher fares in all public utility vehicles (PUVs) including the approved taxis and TNVS. Cashless payment options The LTFRB has earlier issued Memorandum Circular 2020-018 which mandated the resumption of taxis and TNVS on areas under GCQ while implementing cashless or digital payment options. LTFRB said operators and drivers can view the complete list of approved taxis and TNVS units through this link:bit.ly/LTFRB_Taxi_TNVS Bike lanes The DOTr will also be setting up bike lanes along EDSA. The use of bicycles has been highly encouraged by the IATF since it serves as a means of transportation where physical distancing is observed and as a form of exercise.