LTO-Central Visayas readies personnel for 'No Face Shield, No Ride Policy' on August 15

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Central Visayas, in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Central Visayas, will deploy personnel on the first day of the implementation of the "No Face Shield, No Ride Policy" in all public transportation on Saturday, August 15, 2020.

This is to ensure that the riding public is compliant with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Memorandum Circular 2020-014 requiring all public transport passengers to wear face shields aside from the face masks.

LTO-Central Visayas Director Victor Emmanuel Caindec met with his operations team Friday, August 14, to divide the agency's personnel where they will be deployed to the strategic locations in the region.

"We will deploy our personnel to check whether the drivers and conductors themselves are following our mandate. We expect that the drivers, conductors will not allow passengers to ride unless they have their face shields on," said Caindec.

The mandatory use of face shields, which was released by DOTr last August 3, aims to provide an additional and essential layer of protection for the riding public.

This is to minimize the risk of contracting the coronavirus.

"A face shield and mask inside a mode of public transport, is better than being in the hospital. Mas mahal ang ibutang nga respirator sa imung nawong simbako ma-Covid sila," Caindec said.

The director said he is set to meet with Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Visayas to ask for help in the implementation of the order.

"We have a meeting with PNP RD Ferro next week. We will tap the PNP to help with the implementation thru our LTO-Deputized PNP personnel," he said.

Based on the 2020 study attributed to Dans, Herrera, et al., there is a 93 percent reduction of contracting Covid-19 by wearing a face mask and a face shield.

Caindec also clarified that as per lawyer Artemio Tuazon Jr., DOTr OIC undersecretary for Administrative Service, eye shields, visor, or googles, and other protective eyewear do not apply to the said order.

"Face shields should cover your eyes, nose, and your mouth. For drivers and conductors, individuals wearing only eye shields should not be allowed to ride any public transport," the director said.

Passengers who will be caught in the act riding public transport without a face shield will be asked to disembark the public utility vehicle.

"Let us remember that no amount of protection is too much when it comes to health and safety, especially that we are battling an invisible enemy," said DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade. (PR)