Jeepneys back on the road in Olongapo City under GCQ

Jeepneys have restarted their operations in Olongapo City under the general community quarantine (GCQ), with adherence to safety protocols including social distancing and gathering of data from passengers for contact tracing.

Markers were put in place in jeepney terminals and passengers were asked to provide basic information as seen on 24 Oras report by Marisol Abdurahman on Friday.

The jeepney's body number and departure time are also recorded to help with contact tracing.

But the process resulted in long lines, bringing discomfort to passengers especially to persons with disabilities.

"Mahirap din, mahaba ang pila," a man said.

Olongapo has been placed on a relaxed quarantine as early as May 15, and the city was able to apply for route and special permit, which had been granted by the national government.

The approval was also pushed due to efforts of the city's transport federation.

The city has experienced heavy traffic with vehicles travelling on its roads.

A long queue of vehicles entering the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) from Olongapo City was seen on early Friday morning, where most of the motorists are working at the Freeport Zone.

At noon, vehicles coming from Manila also started to line up. They were delayed due to temperature checks.

Tourists are still prohibited to enter the SBMA, as residents and workers were only allowed under the GCQ.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. said the volume of vehicles in the city remains a problem even under the GCQ.

"Since the SBMA closed, kahit na 'yung mga dumadaan lang from Zambales to the south, Bataan to Manila or 'yung galing ng Manila papunta sa norte, obligado pong dumaan sa Olongapo, so medyo nakadagdag po sa volume sa amin dito sa Olongapo," Paulino said.

The traffic was even felt by some jeepney drivers.

"Sobrang traffic po talaga doon, mga kalahating oras lang," a jeepney driver said.

Olongapo City is alive once again with the reopening of many establishments, but Paulino said it is still far from its "normal" situation.

"In terms of actual foot traffic, 'yung mga tao hindi po ganoon talaga karami, malayo pa po tayo sa normal," he said.

Authorities on the ground have continued to remind residents to observe health safety protocols. —Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA News