DOTr: PUVs may refuse rides to senior citizens, passengers below 21

Public utility vehicles may refuse to transport senior citizens and passengers below 21 years of age in a general community quarantine, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras.”

“It is the policy of the IATF. They can politely refuse in the same manner that they can refuse passengers not wearing face shields,” Transportation spokesperson Goddes Hope Libiran said.

“Remember, sila ang may responsibilidad sa kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga pasahero nila,” she added.

However, the DOTr acknowledged that there are instances when people in these age groups must travel.

“When indispensable under their circumstances or if they are working for essential services. Halimbawa, kabataan na may schedule na magpa-checkup sa doktor ‘yung senior citizen mag isa lang sa bahay, so wala talagang puwedeng gumawa para sa kanya, siyempre dapat payagan siyang siya ‘yung bumili,” Libiran said.

Due to this, the agency is appealing to the public for understanding, saying that they are just concerned for vulnerable sectors.

“’Yung public health and public safety, kailangan inuuna ‘yan bago ‘yung comfort and convenience nung mga kababayan natin,” Libiran said. 

“Ito namang binibigay na policies na inaaprubahan ng IATF at DOH, ‘yan naman ya para protektahan ang kalusugan nila,” she added. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News