BY VICTOR REYES and GERARD NAVAL
AS a large portion of the Metro Manila workforce return to work today, the health department on Sunday cautioned the public against being complacent and reminded workers to strictly observe minimum health regulations to spare themselves from unnecessary exposure to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the public, especially in Metro Manila, must continue to adhere to health standards even as the region eases to the general community quarantine (GCQ), after being under strict stay-home regulations for 75 days.
“Even with the transition of many areas into GCQ beginning June 1, we emphasize the importance of following the health guidelines to help contain the spread of COVID-19,” said Vergeire. “Being under the GCQ should not mean that we can already relax with our existing health protocols.”
Vergeire reiterated that workers going back to work should maintain all health and personal hygiene practices that have been strongly required under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) .
“When we return to work, once we go out of our homes, let us not forget to wear face masks, maintain physical distancing of one meter, and bring alcohol for our hands,” said Vergeire.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said that while many industries are re-opening today, things are still not back to normal. He said people must only leave their homes for essential missions, like going to work.
“Although some restrictions will be relaxed, this does not mean that we can all go out leisurely and go about our day,” said Año, adding that curfew hours will continue to be imposed even as quarantine passes are no longer required. However, he said local government units may still require quarantine passes in “critical and buffer zones.”
“The general rule is we no longer need quarantine pass but the LGUs still have the authority to impose lockdowns and require quarantine passes in the barangays or subdivisions which are high-risk. Mayors should, therefore, announce through their official social media accounts or whatever means if quarantine pass is still required in their areas,” he added.
DILG undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya said the public should not relax with the downgrade of Metro Manila to GCQ. He said people should continue wearing face masks and observe physical distancing.
“Ang iniiwasan po natin ay bumalik tayo sa square one at lumobo ulit ang mga kaso ng Covid-19. (What we are avoiding is for us to go back to square one and there will be increase in COVID-19 cases),” Malaya said.
On Saturday, Malacañang released Interagency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Joint Resolution No. 41 that placed the National Capital Region (NCR), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Calabarzon (Region 4-A), Central Visayas (Region 7), Pangasinan province, and the cities of Zamboanga, Davao, Cebu, and Mandaue under GCQ from June 1 to June 15, while the rest of the country shift to a modified GCQ.
This was an amendment to the announcement of President Duterte on Thursday night that initially imposed GCQ in NCR, Cagayan Valley, Region 3, Region 4-A, Pangasinan, Albay and Davao City, beginning June 1.
The more relaxed GCQ means that several businesses as well as some modes of public transportation are already expected to resume their operations.
The shift to a less strict quarantine status has raised some concerns over the possibility of another wave of COVID-19 cases happening in the country as there will be more people going out of their homes.
As of May 31, the country has 18,086 COVID-19 cases, 950 deaths, and 3,808 recoveries.
Año reiterated that government had to already relax quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila to be able to slowly restart economy.
“The country’s economy is hurting badly, many businesses have closed down and our people are finding it difficult to fend for their families having no source of income for the past two months. We need to reopen the economy without setting aside health protocols if we want to survive this pandemic as a people,” Año said.
TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE
Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, appealed for public sobriety over anticipated traffic congestion in and out of the boundaries of Metro Manila.
“The situation (today) will be different, so let’s be more patient because we’re expecting having heavy traffic,” Eleazar, who is also the PNP deputy chief for operation, said as he urged commuters to keep their cool when they are questioned at checkpoints, while policeman should exercise maximum tolerance at all times while doing their job.
“To the public, obey the simple guidelines of our community quarantine and respect the authorities enforcing them,” said Eleazar. To policemen, Eleazar said they should “observe maximum tolerance and respect the rights of the people.”
Eleazar said police checkpoints will remain in key areas and police officers will randomly check passing vehicles and people to ensure only those belonging to the Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR) are out in the streets.
He said workers, even those from provinces going to Metro Manila, may present their identification cards when checked by policemen at checkpoints. He said they will not be accosted as long as they are travelling to and from their places of work.
Eleazar said he is expecting large gatherings of people at train stations, whose operations will resume Monday at only 50 percent capacity, and said that the PNP has adopted measures to control the situation.
“They are prepared, in coordination with LGUs and management of these establishments, to maintain physical distancing at these establishments or facilities,” said Eleazar, adding the National Capital Region Police Office already had a dry run of the resumption of train operations days ago.
Eleazar said non work-related travel from NCR to the province and vice versa will be allowed but should be covered by a travel pass issued by the PNP. A medical certificate from LGUs is also needed prior to the issuance of the travel pass.
The Department of Transportation will implement a two-phased approach in the resumption of the different modes of public transportation.
For phase 1 covering June 1 to 21, trains and bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicles services (TNVS), shuttle services, P2P buses, bicycles and tricycles will be allowed to operate. For phase 2, covering June 22 to 30, public utility buses (PUBs), modern PUVs, and UV express units will already be allowed to operate. Jeepneys and motorcycle taxi operations will remain suspended.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade assured the public there will be no fare hike despite the anticipated high demand and reduced capacity of public transportation.
Tugade said the DOTr and the LTFRB, in partnership with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), held an operational dry run and site inspection along EDSA on Saturday in preparation for the gradual resumption of mass public transport operations.
Tugade said the DOTr will create median bus lanes to ease traffic in EDSA.
MMDA will put up bike lanes along EDSA, as proposed by the DOTr, to complement the department’s “new normal” that promotes the use of non-motorized transports (NMTs).
Tugade also said that on his order, the operating speed of MRT-3 trains will be increased from 30 to 40 kilometers per hour (kph) in some areas, targeting a 60 kph speed by December.
In addition, the number of MRT-3 trains has likewise been increased from 15 to 19 to further help accommodate the needs of the riding public, especially since the trains will be operating at a reduced capacity to observe physical distancing measures.
Martin Delgra III, LTFRB chairman, said the agency has approved the request of Grab Philippines to allow the operation of its 18,629 TNVS units. On top of this, 4,438 have also been allowed ply the metropolis’ routes.
FLIGHTS
Also, the DOTr has allowed local carriers to resume domestic operations between GCQ to GCQ areas in the country but leisure travel remains suspended.
The country’s three local carriers – Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Philippines AirAsia – have announced gradual resumption of their domestic operations starting this week.
PAL said will resume its operations in 24 domestic routes starting June 8 and gradually increase its international flights.
PAL said limited international services on routes to the US, Canada, Guam, Vietnam, mainland China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Japan, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will already be available from June 1 to 30.
On its other international routes, PAL said: “We are evaluating the possibility of operating selected services to London and Sydney during June 2020. However, we shall not be operating any regular scheduled flights to and from the following international destinations for the month of June: Auckland, Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Busan, Fukuoka, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Macau, Melbourne, Phnom Penh, Perth, Port Moresby, Quanzhou (Jinjiang), Sapporo, Seoul (Incheon) and Shanghai.”
Cebu Pacific and Cebgo will resume”¯passenger flights on June 2,”¯with initial domestic flights from Manila going to General Santos, Naga, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro. Its international flights, however, remain suspended for the entire month of June.
AirAsia will resume services on June 3 for key domestic routes and will gradually increase to include international destinations starting July.
Ricky Isla, AirAsia Philippines CEO said: “During the hibernation of our fleet, we took the time to step up our handling procedures to ensure that our guests have a swift and safe journey with us. Needless to say, we are well prepared to welcome everyone on board. As we resume our services around our network, AirAsia is determined to help rebuild our economy and country.”
The operation of roll-on and roll-off inter-Island operation (ROROs) will resume under GCQ while cargo operation continues according to Giovanni Lopez, DOTr undersecretary.
DOTr, through the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), has outlined the procedures on ship crew changes and on the repatriation of seafarers in foreign-registered or Philippine-registered vessels docked in international ports or seaports under the jurisdiction of the Philippines. — With Myla Iglesias, Jocelyn Montemayor and Noel Talacay
