DOTr seeks inclusion of PUV drivers and operations among beneficiaries of government aid package
Published May 4, 2020, 2:58 PM
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is seeking to include public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators on the list of the beneficiaries of the government’s aid package as public transportation operations remain limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Transportation undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. said on Monday that the Department has proposed to Congress the inclusion of PUV operators and drivers affected by the lockdown in the economic stimulus package.
“Nag-submit na ng proposal ang DOTr sa House of Representatives na isama sa stimulus package ng gobyerno ang ating mga operator at driver na maaapektuhan nitong limited capacity ng mga PUVs under general community quarantine (The DOTr have submitted a proposal to the House of Representatives to include in the government’s stimulus package the operators and drivers affected by the limited capacity operations of public transportation in places under general community quarantine,” Tuazon explained during the Laging Handa virtual briefing.
According to the DOTr official, the aid package will include subsidy of fuel costs, loans, as well as the deferment for the interest of loans they availed.
“We have submitted the proposals and we are awaiting the House of Representatives’ decision on the matter,” Tuazon added.
All modes of public transport have been suspended since March 17 as the enhanced community quarantine was put in place, and then re-extended until May 15.
While other areas in the country have been placed under a more relaxed general community quarantine, the DOTr said that public transportation will be allowed to operate but at a partial capacity, only to ensure that health protocols to combat the disease are being observed.
Among the guidelines recently released by the Department include the reduction of passenger load inside PUVs to 50 percent of its capacity to follow the physical distancing protocol.
All PUVs who will resume its operations are also required to be disinfected after every round trip, while a “no face mask, no travel” policy will be imposed on both drivers and passengers to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Currently, legislative work on the proposed multi-billion-peso economic stimulus package is being prepared by the House of Representatives, which aims to mitigate the harsh socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
The package also seeks to protect Filipino workers from impending job losses and help businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises, affected by the situation.
