Dapat ‘di mahirap mag-commute: Salceda wants more PUVs to operate as economy reopens

By Billy Begas

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairperson and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the government should allow more public utility vehicles (PUVs) to operate as more businesses reopen.

Aside from vaccination, Salceda said public transportation will be essential to some 573,000 additional workers that may be required to go to their workplaces as part of the loosening of restrictions.

“We should restore public transport supply. Enough rides are the best way to ensure that there will be no overcrowding in our transport systems. Enough supply is the best way to keep rides safe, in a systems perspective,” said Salceda.

Currently, jeepney routes in Metro Manila have not been fully restored and tricycle restrictions are still in place. “These are essential connectors between mass transit and buses.”

“We need to increase public transport at the same time we shift to MGCQ (modified general community quarantine). Otherwise, we will be making life very difficult and unsafe for many workers,” Salceda added.

Salceda also underscored the need to increase public confidence with a successful vaccination program.

“Workers don’t operate in isolation. Their wages come from customers, and that depends on consumer confidence that they will be safe. So, we always have to bear in mind that the economy was just a casualty. This is a public health problem. The solution to the economic symptoms of this public health emergency will still be in public health,” he said.

He said more aggressive communications efforts are needed to persuade the public to be open to vaccination.

“One problem is that it’s the working class who are hesitant to take the vaccine. The upper class have their work-from-home arrangements, but the working class will need the protection the vaccine affords. So, we have to work hard to convince them,” he added.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)