NON-PERMEABLE or plastic/acetate barriers in public utility vehicles (PUVs) are no longer required in Bacolod City.
The mandate came from Mayor Evelio Leonardia through Executive Order (EO) No. 52 he signed on Thursday, November 4, 2021.
On October 30, 2021, Lawyer Mark Steven Pastor, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructures, announced that they had approved the removal of plastic barriers in public utility vehicles, Leonardia said.
He said the DOTr stressed that there are no medical findings that plastic barriers can effectively prevent the spread of Covid-19, rather the virus could even stick to them.
In accordance with LTFRB Memorandum Circular, Section 8b of EO No.25 issued by Leonardia on May 15, 2020, required all public transportation within Bacolod City limits and those entering territorial jurisdiction to adopt measures such as the use of non-permeable transparent/acetate barriers to ensure social distancing mainly by serving as protective barriers between passengers.
Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center-Task Force (EOC-TF) Executive Director Em Ang earlier said they are not opposing the removal of plastic barriers, but she emphasized that passengers are still required to wear a face mask and face shield for their protection.
She said there are no medical findings that plastic barriers in PUVs can prevent the spread of Covid-19, but by using face masks and face shields, there have been numerous studies to prove the effectiveness of its protection.
She added the capacity limit of the business establishment including the transportation also depend on the alert level or quarantine status of the local government units.
Ang said it is time for commuters to get vaccinated against Covid-19 because they are traveling every day.
Leonardia orders removal of barriers in PUJs
Source: Sonstar
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