Malacañang said on Thursday that traditional jeepneys that are deemed roadworthy may be allowed to operate if the supply of buses and modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) is not enough to accommodate commuters during the second phase of the resumption of public transportation.
During a televised public briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said that roadworthy traditional jeepneys may soon be allowed to ply their routes in order to accommodate more commuters in Metro Manila.
“Pinapayagan po sa second phase ang modern PUVs at kung kukulangin maaring payagan ng LTFRB ang traditional jeepneys provided they are roadworthy,” Roque said.
Roque reiterated that those that are on top of the hierarchy of public transportation will be allowed to operate such as buses and modern PUVs.
“Ulitin po natin nasa GCQ pa rin tayo. Ang ating estratihiya sa pampublikong transportasyon ay calibrated, partial and in phases. Meron po tayong tinatawag na hierarchy of transport modes,” Roque said.
Meanwhile, Roque said that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease has yet to discuss if provincial buses would be allowed to operate next week.
“Bantayan natin at abangan ang anunsyo ng DOTr kung papayagan nga po ang provincial buses sa second phase pagdating po ng June 22, 2020,” Roque said.
As for backriding on motorcycles, Roque said that the Department of Health is studying a “special suit” that motorcycle riders can wear to prevent the spread of the dreaded virus.
“Nagkakaroon po talaga ng pormal na pag-aaral ang Department of Health pagdating po sa Angkas kasi may recommendation o mayroong vinolunteer ang Angkas na mayroong special na suit na isusuot ang mga driver ng Angkas pero pinag-aaralan po talaga nila if that suit will be sufficient po to more or less provide distancing of sorts. So, pag-aaralan po iyan,” Roque said.