35 buses apprehended over COVID-19 health protocol violations

The Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) on Monday apprehended at least 35 public utility buses along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon CIty for violating health protocols in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement, I-ACT said its special operations team issued temporary operator’s permits to the erring public utility buses.

“Alarmingly, several buses were also apprehended for overloading or exceeding the 50% maximum allowed passenger capacity,” the I-ACT said.

“One bus in particular was charged with a multitude of violations, involving breach of health protocols, driving without a valid driver’s license, and failure to attach a license plate,” it added.

Aside from the buses, the I-ACT team also issued three inspection report summons to private vans that are operating as illegal shuttle services.

“Said vans were apprehended as colorum and impounded under the jurisdiction of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), destined for Magalang, Pampanga,” it said.

Majority of the health violations cited by I-ACT include failure to implement the “No Facemask, No Face shield, No Ride” policy, where most of the passengers were without a mandatory face shield, and failure to implement physical distancing aboard the units.

Due to these violations, I-ACT Special Operations team leader Manuel Bonnevie said that the operations of I-ACT in monitoring public utility vehicles will be intensified. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News