DOTr directs bus companies, PUV operators and transport terminals in NCR to impose tighter health protocols

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Sunday, 02 January 2022, directed bus companies, PUV operators and transport terminals in the National Capital Region (NCR) to impose tighter health protocols as the region was placed under Alert Level 3 starting today, 3 January 2022 until 15 January 2022 following a spike in COVID-19 cases.In its memorandum issued on 02 January 2022, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) reminded land-based transportation stakeholders to closely supervise their drivers and conductors, and ensure that they strictly adhere to health protocols particularly the 70% maximum passenger capacity public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) likewise issued a memorandum dated 2 January, calling on PUV operators, drivers and passengers to follow the 7 Commandments for Public Transport and to observe the 70% maximum passenger capacity order in PUVs.

The LTFRB warned that the non-observance of health protocols onboard PUVs or a violation the 70% maximum passenger capacity order are considered violations of franchise conditions. Penalties for violating PUV franchise conditions range from hefty fines to the impounding of the involved PUV.

The LTFRB also warned PUV drivers who will not enforce the 70 percent maximum passenger capacity rule, as well as the strict health protocols in their vehicles, that their driver’s licenses may be suspended. Erring drivers may also face additional criminal complaints.

Transportation Secretary Art Tugade explained that the 70% maximum passenger capacity will remain in NCR to keep pace with the demand for public transport services.

Secretary Tugade pointed out that any adjustments or changes of the allowable maximum passenger capacity in public transportation will be subject to the guidance of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

“With the continued rise of COVID-19 cases in NCR, the DOTr enjoins our land-based transport operators to remind passengers to strictly observe minimum health protocols and ensure that the maximum allowable passenger capacity is followed,” Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said.

“We cannot let our guard down. Following the government’s minimum health protocol is for our greater good. We must remain vigilant so we can reverse the uptick of cases in the country,” Tugade added.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor said road sector agencies will focus on the enforcement of the 70% seating capacity,

“The DOTr Road Sector will make sure that the maximum passenger capacity is strictly followed. As COVID-19 cases increase in the NCR, we are urging our transport stakeholders, especially the riding public, to observe health protocols, and to be wary of PUVs not following the allowable capacity. This is the only way we can help in reducing the number of infections,” Asec. Pastor explained.

Meanwhile, Secretary Tugade urged the public to cooperate in strictly following the 7 Commandments for Public Transport upon the recommendations of health experts.

1. Wear face masks;
2. No talking and making phone calls;
3. No eating;
4. Keep public utility vehicles well ventilated;
5. Conduct of frequent disinfection;
6. No passengers with COVID-19 symptoms are to be allowed inside the public transportation;
7. Observe appropriate physical distancing rule

“It is the responsibility of each individual to comply with this requirement. These 7 Commandments for Public Transport create a sense of Bayanihan among us Filipinos, which is needed in the fight against the pandemic,” Sec. Tugade said.

DOTr: 70% passenger capacity in all rail lines will be maintained

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will strictly enforce health protocols onboard trains as well as in the various rail facilities such as stations and depots. This, after the National Capital Region (NCR) was placed under Alert Level 3 status amid the rise of COVID-19 cases.DOTr Secretary Art Tugade said that the enforcement of strict health measures to mitigate the spread of the virus will continue to be in place, even more as the present 70% passenger capacity in all rail lines will be maintained.

“As recommended by our railways sector, all rail lines will maintain the present 70% passenger capacity under the Alert Level 3 status, provided that strict health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be enforced. This is to avoid the ‘bottlenecking’ or crowding of passengers at stations, which may increase the risk of virus transmission,” said Secretary Tugade.

According to Secretary Tugade, any adjustments or changes in the passenger capacity of rail lines, as well as in other modes of public transportation, will be subject to the guidance of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

As part of the heightened implementation of health measures in all rail lines, a random antigen testing of consenting and volunteering passengers will also be done.

DOTr Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan said the random antigen testing will help the DOTr gauge the level of COVID-19 presence in the rail lines.

“The random antigen testing of consenting and volunteering passengers is intended to guide us in the adoption of any further needed measures. Passengers who volunteer to be tested will be permitted to proceed with their trip after testing, and will be informed of their test results by text message,” Usec. TJ Batan said.

Aside from the random antigen testing of passengers, the use of train marshals will be optimized to enforce health protocols inside trains and in stations.

“Deployed train marshals will make sure that all passengers will be wearing face masks, and will not talk, eat or make use of mobile phones while inside trains. In addition, the deployed train marshals will also enforce the physical distancing rule inside trains, where applicable, considering the current passenger capacity. However, physical distancing will be strictly enforced in station platforms and in station premises,” Usec. Batan added.

Secretary Tugade also ordered the regular disinfection of trains, platforms, stations and depots. He also ordered that contact tracing measures be continued.

Meanwhile, to ensure the safety of all rail facilities, the DOTr has required all rail personnel to undergo antigen testing, pursuant to prevailing protocols of the Department of Health.

Physical reporting in offices of rail lines personnel will be limited to 60%, further to Alert Level 3 guidelines, which prescribe at least 30%.

The DOTr Rail Sector will also be coordinating with its contractors and consultants on similar enhanced measures to be implemented for constructions workers and other personnel deployed at its various Rail Projects.

Secretary Tugade also ordered the Rail Sector to verify the vaccination and booster status of all rail personnel. He also ordered that booster shots be given to rail personnel to increase operational resilience.

Another sneak peek of GMA's 'Voltes V: Legacy'

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

So Voltes V "Live Action" series is happening. And it truly looks like GMA Network is putting their best foot forward. And that honestly warms my heart.

GMA revealed a new teaser featurette for the upcoming and much-anticipated Philippine live-action adaptation series "VOLTES V LEGACY" coming this 2022. 

Overwhelmed or underwhelmed with the Voltes V Legacy teaser?

The 15-second teaser made eager fans more excited to catch a glimpse of the classic anime hit!

Maybe because the standards we expected were so high like Hollywood, but it is already an achievement to have a huge advancement in the Philippine entertainment industry.

The live action production of Voltes V got a letter of recommendation from Toei signed by Shinichiro Shirakura (Kamen Rider Agito, Zenkaiger). This didn't happen when they produced Zaido, a supposed sequel to the 3rd Metal Hero Series, Space Sheriff Shaider.

If the teaser for Voltes V: Legacy's featurette is an indication, we will get a lot of CG sets. What's impressive is that they are shooting this like a movie production, not your standard Filipino daily production.

The art direction in that live action Voltes V is all over the place. It's a very rough mix of realistic and fantastical. It looks like an expensive ad for a mobile game.

It definitely shows its budget in places, but you can definitely tell that it's all coming from a place of pure love & endearment towards the original.

This is by people who truly care about Voltes V, and that's awesome.

Either way, I'm still sort of interested to see the end result. I love that original series and...there's more Voltes to go around I suppose.

Voltes V Legacy, the live action series being made in Philippines based on the anime Voltes V, it's production has an estimated cost of about 1 Billion Pesos so far! That's $19,866,900!

This is GMA's biggest and most expensive production ever!

Voltes V is one of my all time favorite Mecha anime and part of my childhood. I really hope GMA Network won't bring us down especially the  'batang 90's ' fans of the Voltes V anime series.

Just a reminder that Marcos banned the last episodes of Voltes V because of "excessive violence" (when we know it's because of spreading rebellious content)

These animated TV series featuring Mecha robots were supposedly banned for being “excessively violent”. Voltes V, the most popular of the lot, revolved around themes of rebellion and resistance.

You think the Du30-Marcos clique will stop with "subversive books"?

Voltes V has major cultural impact in the Philippines. I was a big fan along with Mazinger Z, Daimos, and the other Mechas.

As a Voltes V baby, I'm getting goosebumps especially when the played the instrument song at the end of the teaser.  Wooo!!!

Excellent so far, my wish is they do it on a weekly basis not the typical daily teleserye to make a solid storyline. Anyways, good job GMA!

#VoltesV #VoltesVLegacy