By Genalyn Kabiling Malacañang has called on local government units (LGUs) to establish bike lanes in their areas given the restrictions in public transportation in community quarantine areas. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) “Sa panahon na limitado ang pampublikong sasakyan, marami ang nagbibisikleta (WIth the limited public transportation, many have turned to biking),” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during the "Laging Handa" public briefing on state television. “Nanawagan po kami sa mga LGUs, mag provide po kayo ng mga bike lanes at ito nga po ang pet project ng ating Senator Francis Tolentino (We appeal to the LGUs to provide bike lanes in their places and this is a pet project of Senator Francis Tolentino),” he added. The government has temporarily suspended public transportation as among the restrictive measures in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified enhanced quarantine quarantine (MECQ). Company shuttles are allowed to ferry workers in companies authorized to operate in quarantine areas. Point-to-point transportation services provided by the government are also permitted to operate giving priority to health workers in both ECQ and MECQ aras. With no mass transportation allowed, the government has "strongly encouraged" biking and non-motorized transportation in areas under MECQ like Metro Manila. In areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), the road, rail, maritime and aviation sectors of public transportation shall operate at reduced operational and vehicle capacity in accordance with the guidelines set by the Department of Transportation. Public transport vehicles are required to observe one meter distance between passengers. "Mayroon na po tayong umiiral na guideline na sa GCQ, mula 10 to 50 percent na po ang pampublikong mga transportasyon. Kapag nagkaroon pa ng Modified GCQ, iyon nga po, 50% capacity so dadami na po ang pampublikong mga sasakyan (We have an existing guidelines in GCQ where 10 to 50 percent of public transportation are allowed. If modified GCQ, there will be 50 percent capacity so there will be more public transportation),” Roque said. The country is currently under community quarantine at varying levels until the end of the month to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. The decision whether to lift, relax or extend the lockdown measures next month will depend on health and economic factors, according to the Palace.