This was the suggestion of Councilor Dindo Ramos to the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) and Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) against erring drivers of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) who still do not comply with the minimum health protocols.
Ramos, who heads the City Council committee on transportation, said Tuesday, January 11, that it has been observed that most of the PUJ drivers in the city were not complying with the 70 percent passenger capacity rule being implemented in areas under the Alert Level 2 in terms of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) transmission like Bacolod City.
“The drivers should observe the social distancing inside the PUJs as well as wearing of face masks,” he said, adding that traffic enforcers and the police should penalize the drivers who are violating these health protocols.
Ramos noted that Bacolod City was placed under Alert Level 2 until January 15 and since last week, the city recorded double digits of new Covid-19 cases.
“We should cooperate and always follow the health protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” the councilor said.
The official also noted that the transport sector was also affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and since last year with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) also imposing adjustment on fare matrix in various regions.
“Our commuters were paying the right fare so the drivers should also consider their safety against Covid-19,” Ramos said.
He added that traffic enforcers and the police should also monitor the operations of PUJs in various barangays to ensure the strict compliance of health protocols.
