Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan wants the transport group to be more diligent in enforcing face mask and physical distancing rules on all drivers, barkers, conductors, and passengers.
Olowan has moved to amend the city ordinance that prescribes new normal of operations in transportation facilities, workplaces, etc. (Ordinance 53-2020) to ensure stricter implementation of said rules in public transport.
The amendatory ordinance seeks to impose the following must-dos on all jeepney operators and drivers associations and managements of bus terminals:
Ensure that their drivers, barkers, conductors, employees, and passengers are properly wearing face masks and maintaining physical distancing when queuing at all times;
Post signages to remind passengers and their employees to observe the health and safety rules at the terminal premises; and
Designate safety officer/s to remind passengers of the health and safety rules and to monitor their compliance. In addition, safety officer/s must also be in-charge of taking the temperature of passengers.
Non-compliance by the jeepney operators and drivers associations and management of bus terminals shall merit a fine of P500.00 for the first offense, P1,000.00 for the second offense, and P2,000.00 for the succeeding offenses.
The Baguio City Police Office and the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of Baguio-Benguet shall be tasked to implement the ordinance and shall coordinate with the City Health Services Office in relation to other health and safety standards when necessary.
Olowan said lack of frequent monitoring results in numerous violations especially at jeepney and bus terminals despite the enactment of Ordinance 53-2020.
“To be able to fully implement Ordinance 53-2020, there is a need to strengthen its enforcement by providing for duties and functions of the transport group,” Olowan said.
The proposed amendatory ordinance was approved on first reading and was referred to Sanggunian’s Committee on Health and Sanitation, Ecology, and Environmental Protection for review. **Jordan G. Habbiling
