Transport operators and drivers told: Take disinfection seriously
TRANSPORT operators and drivers of public transport vehicles should take the disinfection of their vehicles “seriously” and observe “extra diligence,” the chief of the Department of Transportation (DOTR) said on Monday.
“The proper disinfection of public transport vehicles is a key factor in keeping our commuters safe from Covid-19. We should not be hasty in the cleaning and disinfection of our vehicles,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
His statement came on the heels of a recent viral video that showed staff of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 “hastily and playfully disinfecting” a train car.
The transport department has since rectified this mistake.
“The riding public trusts us that the jeepneys, the buses and the other public transport vehicles that we operate are safe, and virus-free,” Tugade said.
He reminded transport workers, who are considered to be part of the frontline service, that they play “a major role” in curbing the pandemic.
“As operators and drivers of public transport vehicles, you do not only bring passengers from their homes to their workplaces and back. You are also given the responsibility to make sure that they are healthy and safe when they arrive at their destinations,” Tugade said.
In the same vein, Tugade noted that passengers should also be mindful of their part and follow the health protocols for public transport: wearing masks and face shields, physical distancing, refraining from eating or talking and other protocols.
“Let us do our share by reporting immediately to the proper authorities any breach of health protocols that are committed inside public transport vehiclesby your fellow passengers. we are all in this fight together,” Tugade said.
Commuters who may have witnessed any violation of health protocols inside public transport vehicles are advised to immediately contact the Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Interagency Council for Traffic (I-ACT), rail transport operators and air and maritime sector authorities.
The Philippines continues to grapple with Covid-19 pandemic with patient counts rising astronomically over the last few weeks. This prompted the government to implement old protocols such as a unified curfew in the National Capital Region to stop the spreading of the virus.
The proper disinfection of public transport vehicles is a key factor in keeping our commuters safe from Covid-19. We should not be hasty in the cleaning and disinfection of our vehicles.
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade