TRANSPORT WOES. Passengers in a public utility jeepney plying the Iloilo province and Iloilo City route still defy the social distancing measures against the coronavirus disease on Monday (March 16, 2020). The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 6 said it will recommend to its central office to offer a one-month moratorium for transport operators as they expect income losses when social distancing will strictly be implemented. (PNA photo by Gail Momblan)
ILOILO CITY -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Western Visayas will recommend to its central office to offer a loan moratorium to transport operators affected by the implementation of social distancing measures.
The LTFRB, along with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the provincial government of Iloilo, has met with the transport groups on Monday.
With the rising threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has imposed a passenger capacity limit and a one-seat-apart capacity to lessen the risk of the virus spread.
During the meeting, transport groups and cooperatives aired that they expect income losses with the distancing policy.
An average jeepney driver plying Iloilo province to Iloilo route earns PHP1,500 gross income. This amount will be reduced to PHP750 when social distancing will be strictly implemented.
To help counter the losses of the transport groups, Ma. Joscet Abellar, legal officer of the LTFRB 6 regional franchising and regulatory office, said that they will request a loan moratorium particularly with the taxis and UV express.
"This is what we are studying that if possible, we can give them a little bit of time to come up because their income is very reduced," Abellar said in an interview.
As of Monday, she said social distancing is not yet strictly implemented in this city and the province of Iloilo.
The LTFRB-6 will release within Monday an illustration of the DOTr on the social distancing measures as part of information dissemination.
"They are expected to immediately comply because of the urgency of the situation," Abellar said.
Defiance on the distancing policy will be considered a breach of franchise, which penalizes the violator with PHP5,000 on first offense, she said.
Meanwhile, the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC) has committed to abide the protocols imposed by the government regarding Covid-19.
"We are supportive on the drive of the government on the safety of the locals within the city and the province, and Panay wide," said Halley Alcarde, business manager of the WVTC in an interview.
While social distancing measures are not completely implemented, Alcarde assured that drivers and operators were directed to sanitize their units after every loop.
"Sanitizers had been distributed to them last week and after every loop, they clean the seats and the corners of their unit, especially those that come in contact with the passengers," he said.
The request of the LTFRB 6 for a moratorium will help the transport groups as Alcarde said that "the loss of income can be countered if the transport sector and the government is meeting halfway."
Based on the data of the LTFRB 6, there are almost 50, 000 public utility vehicles operating in Western Visayas. (PNA)
