CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has created a task force that will assist in allowing traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJ) to operate again.
The drivers of these traditional PUJs have been one of the sectors greatly affected by COVID-19.
Recently, other local government units, including the province of Cebu, had allowed traditional jeepneys to operate in areas under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
In the cities of Cebu and Mandaue, however, only buses were allowed to operate.
In a statement, the Cebu City government said that the task force that City Councilor James Cuenco is leading will help the PUJ drivers convince the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to allow the PUJs to operate again.
They will propose several conditions before they would be allowed to operate that would include PUJ drivers and operators complying with the strict health protocols by providing barriers to maintain physical distancing.
They would also propose that only drivers who do not have any pending violation and whose units are roadworthy would be allowed to operate.
The operators would then be asked to secure a clearance sticker from the Cebu City Transportation Office. — GAN (FREEMAN)