No PUV COVID protocols in
place equals CPC violation

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct 22 (PIA) – Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will treat the deliberate failure of transport providers and operators to comply with the COVID-19 updated health protocols as required, as violation of the terms and conditions of the certificate of public convenience (CPC). 

As such, violators found to have willfully cut a short way to operating their units without observing the protocols would be dealt with according to Joint Administrative Order 2014-001 or other applicable issuances of the board, according to LTFRB Chairman Atty. Martin Delgra III, in a Memorandum Circular 2020-061 issued October 15, 2020. 

By breach of franchise conditions under 2011 Revised Terms and Conditions of CPC, penalty can go P5,00 for first offense, P10,000 and impounding or unit for 30 days for second offense and P15,000 and cancellation of CPC where unit is authorized to operate for third offense. 

Through the same Memorandum Circular, the Board has updated the required health protocols to be observed in all public utility vehicles to conform with the presidential directives against the transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 

While last September 11, 2020, the LTFRB issue Memorandum Circular No 2020-047 which set forth the required physical distancing requirements inside PUVs, the 48th Cabinet Meeting last October 12 has President Rodrigo Duterte approving the proposal to increase the carrying capacity of public transports to further open the economy, LTFRB see this as cue to update its health standards and best practices in PUVs. 

Part of the updated health protocols include the following: Passengers can now be seated one seat apart, or beside each other provided that a plastic barrier is installed between them. 

Passengers are all required to wear proper face masks and face shields. 

The LTFRB also ruled that talking and eating inside PUVs is prohibited at all times as well as observance of appropriate social distancing. 

Moreover, the Board ruled that operators and drivers must provide adequate ventilation inside their units. 

After trips, operators and drivers are mandated to observe proper and frequent disinfection of their units using regular disinfecting agents or ultraviolet lights that kill germs and viruses. 

The MC also bans the conveyance and travel of symptomatic passengers while it reminds operators and drivers to abide with the Inter Agency task Force on the management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Department of Health guidelines as well as conditions of operation of PUVs as required in the previous LTFRB issuances. 

As to its monitoring, the Board’s Franchise Planning and Monitoring Division has been directed to check on the compliance to the operational requirements set by the LTFRB, DOTr, DOH and the IATF circulars and issuances. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol) 

CLOSER SEATING WITH BARRIERS. As the IATF has issued a one seat apart seating policy for public utility jeepneys, the mandatory plastic barrier is still imposed and LTFRB would treat violations thereof, by the driver or operator as a Certificate of Convenience violation so that a violator can lost the franchise of his unit, or get slapped with penalties. (PIA-7/Bohol)