With the quarantine restriction in NCR being downgraded to Alert Level 3, the Department of Transportation is recommending an increase in passenger capacity for public utility vehicles to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Currently, PUVs are allowed to operate at 50% capacity as mandated by health protocols. The DOTr is seeking to “significantly increase” this number, and will submit a proposal to the IATF and local government units. For now, the agency will continue monitoring passenger capacity with random inspections as there have been cases of “mystery passengers” boarding PUVs, exceeding the limit.

Aside from benefitting commuters dependent on public transportation, this move will also help drivers and operators of PUVs. Not only will it be reinstating jobs, but the increase in daily earnings could also somehow offset the rising cost of fuel.

We can only see how this will pan out, seeing as the DOTr would still have to coordinate with the IATF. But in the meantime, it would be wise to consider using alternative forms of personal transport.