Transport group says it's ready for new distancing rules

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 12) — The jeepney drivers and operators group Piston says it is ready for the eased social distancing protocols in the public transport sector, as it claims to consistently follow minimum health measures set by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Piston president Modesto Floranda said they are ready for the influx of passengers on Monday, with the increase in capacity of public utility vehicles due to the new distancing protocols.

“Ang sektor po ng transportasyon ay matagal nang handa sa panunumbalik ng ating serbisyo sa mga mamamayan,” Floranda told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Weekend on Saturday.

[Translation: The transportation sector has always been ready to provide service to our citizens.]

The DOTr announced on Saturday that they are easing the minimum social distancing requirement in public transportation from one meter to 0.75 meters starting on Monday.

However, Floranda pointed out that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and DOTr have not released a clear memorandum concerning the placement of barriers between passengers.

“Sila po ay walang malinaw na memorandum circular. Ang division sa loob ng jeepney ay sariling plano ng operator.”

[Translation: They do not have a clear memorandum circular. The division we have inside jeepneys was designed by operators.]

In a DOTr online press briefing on Saturday, LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra confirmed that the only memorandum released by the agency was about the placing of plastic barriers separating the driver of PUVs from passengers.