(With reports from DCR, DSA, GAB)
The regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Region 7 confirms the new protocol mandating passengers of public utility vehicles (PUV) to wear face shields as a measure of protection against possible virus infection.
LTFRB regional director Eduardo Montealto confirmed the new protocol in an interview with The Bohol Tribune on Wednesday, August 5, 2020.
The directive will take effect this coming August 15, 2020, per memorandum coming from the Department of Transportation (DoTR), Montealto said.
Passengers are now required to wear face shields if they will ride all forms of public transport that are being regulated by the LTFRB.
In a separate report, Rey Elnar, assistant regional director of the LTFRB said it is up to the local government units (LGU) to impose the rule on tricycle riders. The franchises of tricycles are under the jurisdiction of the LGUs.
Moreover, Montealto said the DOTr came up with the directive after health authorities suggested the wearing of face shields paired with face masks as a means to prevent local transmission of the virus especially when taking public transport.
As this developed, the LTFRB deputizes the Land Transportation Office and the Philippine National Police to implement the need to wear face shields paired with face masks.
Aside from the passengers, the PUV drivers and conductors are also required to wear face shields together with face masks.