Vaccinated individuals will have no problem taking public transportation. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has assured the public that public utility vehicles (PUVs) in Metro Manila will continue to operate at 70% capacity despite the Alert Level 3 status.
According to DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, the 70% maximum passenger capacity will remain in Metro Manila to meet the demand of day to day transportation. However, those who will disobey the protocols will face violations or even have their licenses suspended.
“We cannot let our guard down. Following the government’s minimum health protocol is for our greater good. We must remain vigilant so we can reverse the uptick of cases in the country,” he said.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade further added that any adjustments or changes in the passenger capacity of PUVs will be subject to the guidance of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
In addition, Mark Steven Pastor, Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure said that necessary measures such as deployment of road sector agencies to enforce the 70% maximum passenger capacity in PUVs will be placed all over Metro Manila.
“The DOTr Road Sector will make sure that the maximum passenger capacity is strictly followed. As COVID-19 cases increase in the NCR, we are urging our transport stakeholders, especially the riding public, to observe health protocols, and to be wary of PUVs not following the allowable capacity. This is the only way we can help in reducing the number of infections,” said Pastor.