Año, Tugade seek public understanding for limited transpo on first day of GCQ in NCR

Two senior government officials on Monday appealed for the public's patience and understanding regarding the limited public transportation available on the first day of general community quarantine in Metro Manila.

In separate public appearances, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the situation is just temporary.

"Phasing by phasing po tayo. Kaunting pasensiya lang, mahirap naman kasi kung bibiglain tapos babalik na naman tayo sa ECQ na naman eh mas lalo pong di tayo makakausad," Año said at a press briefing in Malacañang.

"Kaunting pakiusap at pag-uunawa sa ating publiko at malalampasan din naman natin ito. Maganda nga po nakarating na tayo sa GCQ sana ay huwag na tayong babalik sa ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) o modified ECQ," he added.

Tugade, for his part, said the resumption of public transportation is being done in a "partial, limited, calculated, and gradual" approach.

"Humihinigi ho ako sa inyo ng kapatawaran at understanding. Ito ho ay panandalian lamang. Hopefully the time will come when majority will benefit in comfort and convenience with all the improvements we are trying to do at this time," he said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

Public transportation reopened in Metro Manila on Monday, June 1, albeit on a limited basis, capped at 30% of capacity prior to the quarantines.

"Wala ho kaming pinangako o sinabi na ang transportasyon ay magiging extensive and will meet the requirements of all on the first day of GCQ and even in the duration of the GCQ for that matter," said Tugade.

"Meron pa hong mga limitasyon 'yan, kaya nga at ang binabagtas namin na approach sa transportatyon ay yung tinatawag naming limited, gradual, partial, and calculated... Sa ganitong paraan talagang meron pong mapapahirapan, magkakaroon ng inconvinience," he added.

According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has dispatched 48 buses to assist in the present transportation system across Metro Manila.

Lorenzana said six of the 48 buses were deployed to the Commonwealth area where many commuters have been stranded for hours.

"Kaninang umaga nag-dispatch 'yung Armed Forces ng 48 buses sa MMDA at sila 'yung nagdi-dispatch din kung saan kailangan. Sa 48 na trucks at buses, anim ang nai-dispatch sa Commonwealth," Lorenzana said at the Palace briefing.

The gradual resumption of public transportation will be made in two phases, with the first phase from June 1 to 21, allowing trains and bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicle services, shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles.

Tricycles are allowed subject to the approval of the concerned local government unit, while provincial buses are still barred from entering and exiting Metro Manila during the period.

Meanwhile, the second phase will cover June 22 to 30, allowing public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) or jeepneys, and UV Express vehicles.

Carriers such as AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines are also gearing to resume flights in the first week of the month. --KBK, GMA News