Passengers stranded as Capiz shifts to MGCQ

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz— Several passengers were stranded Monday morning at the Roxas City Integrated Transport Terminal (RCITT) as the province of Capiz shifted from General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to Modified GCQ.

Most of the stranded passengers were bound for Iloilo City but the lack of passenger buses, particularly Ceres buses of Vallacar Transit, forced them to wait for several hours at the terminal.

Sandy Hachuela, administrative aide of RCITT, said that while Ceres buses have started their operations, some of its units were not allowed to enter the terminal for lack of special permits.

The management of Vallacar has assured that special permits for the other bus units will be immediately forwarded to the RCITT.

Earlier, the RCITT under Victor Arcenas said that they will not allow passenger buses, jeepneys, and vans to enter the terminal if they have no special permits from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Capiz Governor Esteban Evan Contreras has signed on Sunday Executive Order No. 20 series of 2020 placing the entire province of Capiz under MGCQ effective June 1, 2020.

Under the executive order, there will be no more border restrictions in Capiz.

But curfew hours will still be imposed from 9pm to 5am except in Roxas City which is from 11pm to 4am. Malls and businesses establishments can operate including dine-in restaurants.

Local officials, however, wishes to remind the public of health protocols such as social distancing and wearing of face masks.