The government has allowed provincial buses in point-to-point (P2P) routes to resume operations to boost the economy due to the effect of COVID 19 pandemic.
"Point-to-point provincial buses shall be allowed unhampered passage through the different LGUs en route to the LGU of destination," the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases said in a statement.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the resumption of provincial bus operations was approved under IATF Resolution No. 88.
“Let’s wait for the guidelines that would be released by the Department of Transportation and LTFRB,” Roque added in a virtual press briefing.
All mass transport systems in Luzon were suspended in March 17 up to May 30 under the Luzon-wide “enhanced community quarantine” to control the Covid-19 outbreak.
Since June 1, the LTFRB has gradually allowed the resumption of service of more modern jeepneys, P2P buses, UV Express units, taxis, transport network vehicle services, provincial buses.
The LTFRB also reminded passengers, drivers, conductors, and operators to always wear face masks and shields, refrain from talking, eating in public transport, maintain proper ventilation of the vehicle, regular disinfection, bar anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, and to always follow the “one-seat-apart” physical distancing rule
In the same resolution, the IATF approved the mandatory wearing of face shields whenever persons go out of their residences.
“Provincial buses in point-to-point routes approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the local government unit of destination, including their stop-over/transit terminals may resume their operations,” the resolution read.
The Department of Transportation, through the LTFRB, is directed to craft the necessary operational guidelines.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier decided to keep Metro Manila; the provinces of Batangas, Lanao del Sur and Davao del Norte; and cities of Iloilo, Tacloban, Iligan, and Davao under general community quarantine until Dec. 31. Isabela province was also recently reverted to GCQ until Dec. 31.
The rest of the country will be under the least stringent modified general community quarantine.
