PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa on Monday, June 1, ordered all police units to offer free rides to commuters considering the limited public transportation systems.
Gamboa said police trucks involved in “Libreng Sakay” will continue providing free rides to the public despite the relaxed quarantine protocols.
"Actually limited kasi 'yung ating number of trucks... I think we have regular travels from Bacoor, Cavite and from Navotas on a daily basis... We have encouraged our lower units to do so also... I think NCR is also doing it and different police stations na mayroon silang sasakyan," he said.
"Alam naman natin na under GCQ, a certain portion of mass transportation is allowed so we expect also na mayroon na ring masakyan 'yung mga tao but of course limited pa rin," he added.
Metro Manila shifted to general community quarantine (GCQ) on June 1, more than two months after it was placed on lockdown to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, or Sars-CoV-2.
Other areas that shifted to GCQ are Cagayan Valley (Cagayan, Batanes, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino), Central Luzon (Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales), Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Pangasinan, Davao City, Central Visayas (Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Cebu, including Cebu City and Mandaue City) and Zamboanga City.
The rest of the country is under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), which is the transition phase towards the new normal.
Under GCQ, almost all industries are allowed to resume operations at a limited capacity to gradually reopen the economy.
Public transportation systems will also be operating at a limited capacity and provided that they observe minimum health standards, particularly the observance of social distancing and wearing of face mask.
Based on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) guidelines, the following will be allowed to resume during the first phase from June 1 to 21: buses, trains, taxis, ride-hailing cars, shuttle services and bicycles.
Tricycle operations will be regulated by the local government.
Under the second phase which will run from June 22 to June 30, public utility buses, modern jeepneys and UV express vans will be allowed to operate but also at a limited capacity.
To ensure social distancing, passengers of all vehicles, either public or private, should be one seat apart.
Only those below 21 years old, those older than 59, individuals with comorbidities and pregnant women are not allowed outside their residence except when procuring essential goods and services. (SunStar Philippines)