By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
The Senate Committee on Public Services is set to conduct an inquiry on the gradual resumption of public transport under the general community quarantine (GCQ).
Senator Grace Poe
(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Senator Grace Poe, committee chair, called for a virtual public hearing on Monday, May 11, just as the national government is expected to modify the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila after May 15. In her resolution, Poe said she seeks to inquire about the government's plans in restoring the mobility and livelihood while making sure that health protocols are observed to protect drivers and commuters. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier issued guidelines for the resumption of mass transportation in areas under GCQ, allowing public utility vehicles (PUVs) to operate at reduced capacity and in compliance with health safety measures, such as physical distancing and the mandatory use of face masks by drivers and passengers. Poe, however, said the guidelines should also anticipate possible extensions of the ECQ or reversion of the GCG to ECQ. She said the DOTr should ensure that the guidelines "will always allow uninterrupted mobility for frontliners and other authorized persons outside residence. She likewise pointed out that the guidelines should be complemented with revenue support to PUV driver and operators, considering that they will not be able to attain maximum passenger capacity due to social distancing requirements. "The guidelines must provide a revenue model that will ensure viability of operations while still ensuring that health protocols are followed," Poe said in the resolution. Poe stressed the immediate need for a "data-driven, evidenced-based, and more lasting institutional post-pandemic mobility plan...crafted in consultation with experts and stakeholders to lay down and converge important insights, concerns and issues as regards the use of mass transportation in the new norm." "Opportunity lies in crisis and the transportation industry is at a critical position to recover, retool, reinvent, and reboot itself in order to cater to the new normal," she added. Earlier, the senator appealed for continued support for PUV drivers and operators who would resume operations amid the quarantine.
Senator Grace Poe(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Senator Grace Poe, committee chair, called for a virtual public hearing on Monday, May 11, just as the national government is expected to modify the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila after May 15. In her resolution, Poe said she seeks to inquire about the government's plans in restoring the mobility and livelihood while making sure that health protocols are observed to protect drivers and commuters. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier issued guidelines for the resumption of mass transportation in areas under GCQ, allowing public utility vehicles (PUVs) to operate at reduced capacity and in compliance with health safety measures, such as physical distancing and the mandatory use of face masks by drivers and passengers. Poe, however, said the guidelines should also anticipate possible extensions of the ECQ or reversion of the GCG to ECQ. She said the DOTr should ensure that the guidelines "will always allow uninterrupted mobility for frontliners and other authorized persons outside residence. She likewise pointed out that the guidelines should be complemented with revenue support to PUV driver and operators, considering that they will not be able to attain maximum passenger capacity due to social distancing requirements. "The guidelines must provide a revenue model that will ensure viability of operations while still ensuring that health protocols are followed," Poe said in the resolution. Poe stressed the immediate need for a "data-driven, evidenced-based, and more lasting institutional post-pandemic mobility plan...crafted in consultation with experts and stakeholders to lay down and converge important insights, concerns and issues as regards the use of mass transportation in the new norm." "Opportunity lies in crisis and the transportation industry is at a critical position to recover, retool, reinvent, and reboot itself in order to cater to the new normal," she added. Earlier, the senator appealed for continued support for PUV drivers and operators who would resume operations amid the quarantine.