The local government unit (LGU) of Tagbilaran is imposing the rule on the mandatory wearing of face shields with face masks among tricycle passengers in the city.
This was confirmed in a text message to The Bohol Tribune by Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II, last Thursday, August 6, 2020.
In a separate report, Rey Elnar, assistant regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said that it is up to the LGUs to impose the rule on tricycle riders. The franchises of tricycles are under the jurisdiction of the LGUs.
In relation to this, the regional director of the LTFRB in Region 7 confirmed 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 the 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 is bejng regulated by the LTFRB.
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 develeoped, 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.
DOTR’S EXPLANATION
In its website, the DOTr confirmed the directive of mandatory wearing of face shield, aside from face masks, by August 15, 2020 when riding PUVs.
In a Memorandum Circular released on 04 August 2020, the DOTr, through its Administrative Service, has ordered all officials and heads of its various transportation sectors to enjoin, within their respective jurisdictions, the mandatory wearing of face shields for all passengers in areas where public transportation is allowed.
The DOTr said that the initiative aims to further reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus disease (CovId) in public transport facilities as health authorities have pointed out that the use of face shields and masks reduces exposure to and emission of respiratory droplets considerably.
The directive applies to all public transportation throughout the country, involving the Aviation and Airports, Railways, Road, and Maritime sectors, the DOTr in its website said.