Remulla apologizes, says Cavite to have no public transpo under MECQ

Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday apologized to his constituents and said the provincial government has no choice but to disallow public transportation.

"IKINALULUNGKOT KO PO SABIHIN NA ANG IATF AY MABIGAT NA BINALAAN ANG ATING PROVINCIAL COMMANDER NG PNP NA MAHIGPIT PATUPARIN ANG ‘NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION POLICY," Remulla said in a Facebook post.

"THIS IS A VERY UNWISE DECISION BUT I WILL RESPECT IT," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte placed the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from August 4 until August 18. Duterte announced the directive after medical front liners asked for a two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) as "time out" as the number of COVID-19 cases continued to rise.

Under guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation, no public transportation is to be allowed in MECQ areas except for public shuttles for front liners and workers in allowed industries, and tricycles but subject to guidelines set by the the Department of the Interior and Local Government and local government units.

However, Remulla said on Tuesday that all public transportation will be allowed in Cavite but only to transport essential workers and those working in factories.

"Ang lahat ng public transportation ay puedeng mag-operate kapag ito ay para sa serbisyo ng mga pabrika, manggagawa at essential workers. Social distancing rules shall apply," the governor said in a Facebook post.

On Wednesday, Remulla said the no public transportation policy will "severely" affect the manufacturing industry in Cavite.

"Sa aking mga kababayan, ako po ay humihingi ng paumanhin. I tried my best to serve your interest, as well as the Province and the Country. Unfortunately, the people in charge see things differently," he said.

Cavite had 47 new cases of COVID-19, driving up the total number of confirmed cases to 1,824, Remulla said early Tuesday.

Recoveries totaled 525 while the death toll was at 57. —KG, GMA News