LTFRB CARAGA STARTS THE STRICT IMPLEMENTATION OF 1-METER SOCIAL DISTANCING IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

BUTUAN CITY – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reminded the public transportation drivers and operators of the strict implementation of 1-meter social distancing among passengers in public vehicles starting September 21, Monday.

This is in accordance with the directives from President Rodrigo Duterte last week.

Ma. Kristina Cassion, the Regional Director of LTFRB Caraga admitted the possible negative impact of the enforcement of the new rules, in fact several cooperatives have appealed to the agency for fare increase.

According to RD Cassion, The LTFRB chairman has mentioned that there will be budget allocation for cash and fuel subsidy, but the guidelines is still underway because the public transportation sector is also affected.

“…Dunay budget under sa Bayanihan 2 for the subsidy sa atong operator ug sa public transportation pinaagi sa naay cash subsidy and kani siyang tanan ipahimutang ni sya gina craft pa karon ang guidelines regarding that, “ said RD Cassion.

(There’s a budget allocated for the cash subsidy for the public transportation operators under Bayanihan 2 law. However, the guidelines regarding that are still being crafted.)

The reduction of physical distancing policy was supposed to be implemented last September 14, Monday; however it was postponed because of the intervention of the president and imposed the strict implementation of 1-meter social distancing in public utility.

Concurrent to the agency’s advisory, the authorities have also reminded the drivers and operators to fix the plastic barriers to conform to the new guidelines.