‘NO MORE DISTANCING’: Crowded terminals, traffic jams mar GCQ

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Heavy traffic and jam-packed terminals were the usual sights in Iloilo City on Monday on the third day of the general community quarantine (GCQ) in the city and province.

The shift to GCQ meant that quarantine measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are more relaxed with selected establishments allowed to reopen but subject to minimum health standards like physical distancing.

Physical distancing, among other rules, has been emphasized by health authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19. Authorities warned that disregarding precautionary measures could lead to more waves of infection which could overwhelm the public health system.

But the swarm of commuters, mostly returning workers, clogged public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals in Iloilo City on the first Monday of the GCQ.

The limited public mass transportation in the city and province of Iloilo made it impossible to cater to thousands of commuters all at once.

Hence, terminals were jam-packed with long queues of commuters who had to endure the heat and hours of waiting. Ergo, physical distancing was disregarded.

In Mohon terminal in Arevalo district, passengers waited as early as 6 a.m. for public transportation.

But only buses and modernized jeepneys were allowed to ferry commuters in Iloilo City on Monday.

According to Boyet Parcon, president of the Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA), the Land Transportation and Regulatory Franchising Board (LTFRB) required them to secure a special permit before traditional jeepneys are allowed on the roads.

“Dapat may special permit pa nga i-issue ang LTFRB bag-o makabyahe ang amon units. Amo na nga gindali-dali namon subong pasa sang mga requirements nga na-delay man tungod sa lockdown,” Parcon said in a radio interview on Monday.

Jeepney associations in Iloilo province were also unable to operate on Monday due to the lack of special permits from LTFRB.

Despite the dearth of public utility jeepneys (PUJs), traffic jams returned to major roads in Iloilo City because of the influx of private vehicles.

Mayor Jerry Treñas also observed Monday’s heavy traffic jams.

According to Treñas, LTFRB has assured him that more jeepney and taxi units will be allowed to operate today.

“I went around all the districts of the city. Most of the districts experienced heavy traffic and people waiting for transportation along the sidewalks. LTFRB Regional Director Richard Osmeña assured me that there will be more taxicabs and jeepneys in the streets this afternoon and tomorrow,” he said.

Aside from traffic, Treñas noted that commuters failed to observe social distancing in the city streets.

“Subong sa dalan wala gid social distancing kay kalabanan sang tawo gabantay sang salakyan,” he lamented.

The mayor said he will coordinate with Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) to place markings in loading areas and terminals to ensure that physical distancing will be observed.