Consultation on airports, seaports opening pushed

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya said that a consultation is needed on the opening of airports and seaports for domestic travel in areas under General Community Quarantine.

Gasataya said this sentiment is shared by his colleagues in Congress.

“We urge DOTr (Department of Transportation (DOTr), CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines), and all other national agencies for a comprehensive consultation with affected LGUs (local government units) and local Inter-Agency Task Forces amidst the proposal to open seaports and airports for  domestic travels in areas under GCQ,” Gasataya said.

He said the House Committee on Transportation conducted a small group meeting presided by Rep Edgar Mary Sarmiento together with national agencies in preparation for the eventual downgrading of some areas in the country from Enhanced CQ to GCQ in the aspect of land, sea, and air transportation.

“We emphasized the need for consultation because we have to understand the peculiarity of provinces/cities in terms of preparedness and readiness of conducting tests for persons coming from areas with high positive cases of COVID-19 such as Metro Manila and the potential risk of transmission.”

“The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) committed that returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWS) will be subject to PCR tests but how about the others who will conduct the testing?” he also asked.

Gasataya said national agencies committed that proper coordination and dialogue will be conducted.

Meanwhile, Gasataya also said that the House Committee on Transportation passed a resolution supporting the proposal of the DOTr to provide fuel subsidy to drivers of public utility vehicles once they are allowed to resume operations under the GCQ.