and MYLA IGLESIAS
INTER-ISLAND ferry operators have been given the green light to resume operations in areas now considered under general community quarantine (GCQ) but it will take longer for any of them to see any profit.
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Jay Daniel Santiago on Wednesday said shipowners will be allowed to sell only 50 percent of their vessels’ seating capacities to ensure physical distancing would be observed.
Speaking at the “Laging Handa” public briefing, Santiago said the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) may have relaxed restrictions on some activities and conduct of commercial operations but businesses and the public alike would still be obligated to observe health protocols approved by the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
He said there will be new health standards and practices that will be enforced in passenger terminals and on board passenger vessels based on the directives of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to the PPA and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
“There will be strict implementation of social distancing. So even in terminals only 50 percent passenger capacity will be allowed at any given time. Once there, the public will find additional facilities for handwashing, foot bath, and health screening which will include thermal scanning,” Santiago said.
The related agencies are also working on a public information drive to encourage physical distancing and show proper coughing and sneezing etiquette.
Santiago admitted that while the PPA remained open and did not cease its operations even when the lockdown was in effect over the entire Luzon island, the pinch in the cargo and passenger traffic beat down its revenues.
“Between March 2019 and March 2020, our revenues dropped by 79 percent. We are hoping that as we continue to find ways to adapt and relax the quarantine, our collections will also start to recover but we are not seeing any sign that we can recover to the level of earnings from the year before,” he admitted.
Meantime, he said the two quarantine vessels in the Port Area as well as the treatment and isolation facility at the Eva Macapagal Terminal in Pier 15, Port of Manila remain fully operational to cater to the accommodation needs of home-bound seafarers and land-based overseas Filipino workers.
“The Eva Macapagal Terminal is at about 99 percent utilization, so Secretary Tugade has instructed us to look for similar facilities in other areas where we can put up similar facilities,” he said.
RAILWAYS
DOTr undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said the Light Rail Transit Line-1 (LRT-1), LRT-2, Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3) and Philippine National Railways (PNR) will resume operations by next week but at reduced capacity per trip.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said: “We are ready to serve our commuters in the event that the GCQ will be implemented in Metro Manila, and areas covered by our railway networks. We have to follow the social distancing guidelines, and health protocols set by the IATF, meaning, we have to limit our passenger capacity per trip. This is to prevent COVID-19 from spreading while our commuters are in transit.”
Batan said each LRT-1 train set will only ferry 12 percent of its normal capacity or 158 passengers per trip; while an LRT-2 train set will only accommodate 10 percent, or 160 passengers per trip; 13 percent or 153 passengers for an MRT-3 train set; and 20 percent or 148 passengers each PNR train per trip.
DOTr figures indicate that the LRT-1 has a daily ridership of 500,000; LRT-2 has 200,000; while the MRT-3 line serve around 300,000 passengers per day.
The reduction in capacity per train car was based on physical simulations of passengers inside trains maintaining 1- meter social distancing.
“To guide our commuters in observing the required 1-meter social distancing, we are placing markers inside the trains and on station platforms, indicating the required spacing between and among passengers. We are also installing signage and other information materials to remind passengers of the health and safety protocols that are in place,” Batan said.
“We have to remember that this protocol aims to prevent the virus from spreading. We want to put an end to this health crisis, as we want to help our frontliners, our essential workers in going to their places of destination during GCQ,” he added.
The rail lines will also reduce passenger concentration in trains, station platforms, concourses, and elevators.
DOTr said skip trains, or trains bypassing certain stations, may be operated to manage passenger volumes, along with a block system for managing the entry of passengers into stations, platforms, and into trains.
Batan said the 34 PNR stations between Tutuban, and Legazpi will resume cargo operations on Thursday, May 7.
AIRPORTS
The management of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), said it will adopt the “new normal” guidelines set by the DOTr in all international and domestic airports in the country.
MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal said the guidelines are foreseen to be the new way of life for both passengers and airport staff once travel restrictions are lifted and NAIA resumes operations.
Monreal said only passengers with valid travel documents and confirmed bookings for the day will be allowed to enter airport facilities.
Adopted guidelines include the wearing of face masks when entering airport facilities, mandatory body temperature check, and the observation of social distancing at all queuing points inside and outside the terminal building. When seating, a “one seat apart policy” shall be enforced.
Monreal said acrylic barriers in all check-in counters and help desks in the four NAIA Terminals will be installed. To date, 57 check-in counters now have acrylic barriers in Terminal 1, while installation works are still ongoing in the other terminals. The four NAIA terminals have 330 check-in counters.
MIAA has also purchased 2,675 boxes (or 133,750 pieces) of surgical face masks and has initiated the purchase of 4,500 pieces of washable masks to ensure continuous protection of its workers.
“MIAA sought the assistance of the Bureau of Quarantine in determining what type of PPE is appropriate for its employees given their different work stations as we want to make sure that they have the right kind of protection as the nature of their jobs would require,” Monreal said.
Security personnel of the four NAIA terminals will be provided with 81 infrared-thermometer guns for temperature body check monitoring of all passengers entering the terminals.
Monreal said the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) will implement a contactless system in checking all incoming baggage, such as but not limited to the use of walk through x-ray machines, portable scanners and hand-held metal detectors.
He added all queuing points will have yellow floor markings to ensure physical distancing among passengers who will fall in line for check-ins.
All airport facilities will be regularly disinfected, including aero-bridges, baggage conveyors, check-in counters, and immigration, customs and other help desks; and equipment such as x-ray machines and trays, inspection tables, pushcarts, wheelchairs and other frequently touched surfaces.
“All comfort rooms in the terminal buildings as well as public areas are continuously cleaned on a 24-hour basis with each comfort room having a steady supply of handwash, hand sanitizers, toilet paper and paper towels. MIAA’s utilization of hand sanitizers has remarkably increased over the last three months. From five gallons a day before COVID, actual use to date is 13 gallons a day,” Monreal said.
There will also be foot baths in all entry and exit points for passengers and airport personnel, including boarding bridges and/or similar areas for passenger embarkation and disembarkation to and from the aircraft. — With Noel Talacay
