Davao City advised PUV drivers to obey 70% passenger capacity

All public utility vehicle drivers are advised to maintain the 70 per cent passenger capacity as allowed under the guidelines during the evolving coronavirus pandemic.

The City Transportation and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) reminded drivers that there is a corresponding penalty of P500 if the number of passengers is more than the allowed capacity.

The Head of the CTTMO, Dionisio C, Abude, said that drivers must ensure social distancing inside their vehicle because traffic enforcers will enforce the rule and will issue traffic tickets for violation.

And, in light of the lifting of barrier requirement, Abude said traffic enforcers are closely monitoring if the allowed capacity of 70 per cent is followed.

“Pahunongon gyud siya, kung sobra sa kapasidad, tiketan sila. Kay kung dili gud nimo tiketan magpadayon ang mga driver kay ok raman. Muagi man gyud sila og mga enforcer, muagi man gyud sila sa mga loading bay, mga yellow box, so makita gyud na more than sa capacity sa ilaha so matiketan sila ug kanunay sila matiketan luoy pud kaayo sila (They will be stopped, apprehended, and will be issued with tickets. If you will not give tickets, they will continue to do the same thing. The enforcers will see them as they will pass through loading bays and the yellow box. Once they (traffic enforcers) see there is more than the required capacity, they will issue tickets and if they do so repeatedly, they are at disadvantage),” Abude said.

He added that operators should also ensure that their drivers follow the passenger capacity.

Abude said that it is the driver who takes the risk of carrying more passengers than required. He added that the ‘drivers should discipline themselves.

“Ang driver man gud unta ang dapat naay control, pagtan-aw ang kapasidad sa iyang sakyanan mao nagyud na siya..kung magpadungag siya iya na nang risk pag makita siya sa enforcer unya madakpan siya luoy kaayo siya. Dapat magdisiplina gyud ang mga driver (It should be the drivers who control and see the capacity of the vehicle. If he sees that the capacity has been reached, if he accommodates more than that he takes the risk of being apprehended. They should be the ones to exercise discipline.)” Abude added.

Mayor Inday Sara Duterte in her under Executive No. 63 Series of 2021, has lifted the use of motorcycle barriers, jeepney, and other public utility vehicle barriers effective November 2, 2021.

The order stated that while barriers will no longer be required the drivers and operators must still implement the mandatory wearing of face masks and physical distancing inside their units. CIO