MMDA to coordinate with DOTr on public transport protocols under Alert Level 1 — exec

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said it will coordinate with the Transportation Department to prepare the public transportation protocols in the National Capital Region (NCR) for the possible downgrading of the alert status in the region.

Interviewed on G TV’s Balitanghali, MMDA officer-in-charge and general manager Romando Artes said they will have a scheduled meeting with transport officials to discuss the public transportation protocols amid the possible ease of restrictions in the NCR.

“Actually pagmi-meetingan namin yan with DOTr, nakaschedule po kami kung paano ipaghahanda kung sakaling ibaba na po sa Alert Level 1 ang NCR particularly yung mass transportation po natin,” Artes said.

(Actually we will meet with the DOTr officials, we have scheduled a meeting with them on how we will prepare in case the NCR is lowered to Alert Level 1, particularly our mass transportation.)

“Alam naman natin na importanteng importante yung mass transportation dahil mababalewala po yung pagbubukas ng industriya at sector kung wala naman pong masasakyan ang ating manggagawa, so pagmi-meetingan po namin yan at we will ensure po na yung ating mga safety protocols will be implemented dito sa ating pampublikong transportasyon,” he added.

(We know that mass transportation is important because the opening of the industry and sector will not work if our workers do not have access to transportation, so we will have a meeting on that and we will ensure that our safety protocols will be implemented in our public transportation.)

Metro Manila mayors earlier agreed to recommend the de-escalation of the capital region to Alert Level 1 starting March 1.

Under Alert Level 1, intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed without regard to age and comorbidities. All establishments, persons, or activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it is consistent with minimum public health standards.

Campaign organizers

Meanwhile, Artes also reiterated its reminder to campaign organizers and candidates to observe health protocols including wearing of facemasks and observing social distancing during campaign events to prevent spread of COVID-19 infections.

“Pinapakiusap po natin sa mga organizers or kandidato nai-observe pa rin po yung protocols pangunahin na po dyan yung pagsuot ng facemask at yun pong social distancing,” he said.

(We appealed to organizers or candidates to observe health protocols, including wearing facemasks and maintaining social distancing.)

“Although mahirap pong ipatupad pero nireremind po natin yung organizers niyan mga kandidato kung magkakasakit po ang kanilang supporters sila din po ang maapektuhan lalong lalo na kung hindi makakaboto yung kanilang mga supporters,” he added.

(Although it is difficult to implement, we remind organizers of those candidates that if their supporters get sick, they will also be affected, especially if their supporters cannot vote.)

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday said the NCR is ready to deescalate to Alert Level 1 with its current metrics.

Duque said the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) will discuss later in the day whether NCR and other areas are ready to shift to Alert Level 1, the lowest in the new alert level system. — RSJ, GMA News