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This Week in Metro Manila (June 6 to 12, 2020)
Get quarantine updates, transportation news, and more!
By: Denisse Shawntel Tan | June 06, 2020
As of June, the Philippines is currently the country with the longest lockdown in the world. As Metro Manila and other nearby areas transitioned from ECQ to GCQ, citizens began dealing with the changes in their routine. Since work has been allowed to resume, the government considers solutions to the citizens’ current transportation problems. For one, public transportation will undergo major transitions. For example, the Department of Transportation (DOTR) has set a two-phase plan for public utility vehicles. The MRT, LRT, Point-To-Point (P2P) buses, and airports have also resumed operations, but commuters will have to follow strict safety measures.
Meanwhile, Grab also released guidelines for customers since its services have resumed in the country. In terms of shopping, market schemes will resume in Pasay during the GCQ. Barber shops and salons are also allowed to operate again in GCQ areas.
Quarantine Updates: Quarantine passes no longer needed when buying essential goods
Quarantine passes are no longer required when buying essential goods in Metro Manila according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). However, the DILG also said that residents should still adhere to quarantine protocols when buying essential goods such as wearing face masks and following proper social distancing [1]. Areas under GCQ are allowed to operate with up to 75 percent capacity. Several malls and other establishments have been opened, but entertainment and leisure establishments will remain closed.
Transportation News
DOTR announces two phases for public transportation under GCQ
The Department of Transportation (DOTR) announced that public transportation in areas under GCQ will follow a two-phase plan. Vehicles that will be operating during phase one will include trains, taxis, transport network vehicle services (TNVS), P2P buses, shuttle services, bicycles, and bus augmentations. The said modes of transportation are allowed but must follow strict passenger limits. Meanwhile, provincial buses are not allowed to enter Metro Manila.
For phase two (June 22 to 30), additional vehicles that will be allowed to operate are public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles, and UV Express. These vehicles are expected to follow the same rules imposed on the vehicles during phase one. Bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, and boarding areas will also be placed in strategic areas along EDSA.
Drivers, operators, and passengers are required to follow safety rules under GCQ such as wearing of face masks, observance of no contact measures including cashless payments, use of thermal scanner, provision of alcohols and sanitizers in PUVs, disinfection of high-touch surfaces, and placing of disinfection facilities in public transport terminals [2].
MMDA suspends number coding scheme until further notice
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) initially announced that it will implement a modified number coding scheme in Metro Manila starting June 8, but this was suspended last June 7. The new coding scheme was planned to exempt cars with two or more passengers, as well as vehicles carrying medical personnels and other authorized persons outside residence. According to the MMDA, it was suspended due to the limited operations of public transportation in the metro.
LRT and MRT resume operations
The LRT and MRT resumed operations starting June 1. The schedules for both trains were announced by their respective managements.
• For LRT-1, the earliest trip would be to Roosevelt and Baclaran at 4:30 AM. The last trip would be at 10:00 PM and 10:15 PM on weekdays and 9:30 PM and 9:45 PM on weekends and holidays, respectively.
• For LRT-2, Recto-bound trains will operate from 5:00 AM until 9:00 PM. The Araneta Center-Cubao Station will operate from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
• MRT-3 said that North Ave and Taft Ave stations will start operations at 5:30 AM and will stop operations at 9:10 PM and 10:11 PM, respectively.
DOTR also further stated that sanitary measures will be enforced in all trains. Face masks will be mandatory for passengers and workers. Cashless payments are also encouraged [3].
Several P2P bus routes resume operation
As public transportation is slowly opening, different P2P bus companies have released operational bus routes, which are as follows [4]:
Delta Neosolutions
• Katipunan (UP Town Center) – Makati (Glorietta 3)
• Eastwood (Eastwood City) – Makati (Glorietta 3)
Precious Grace Transport
• Santa Maria, Bulacan (Caypombo) – North EDSA (Trinoma/SM City North EDSA)
• Santa Maria, Bulacan (Santa Clara) – North EDSA (Trinoma/SM City North EDSA)
• Malolos, Bulacan (Robinsons Malolos) – North EDSA (Trinoma/SM City North)
MetroExpress Transport
• Taguig (Vista Mall) – Makati (Trasierra)
• Taguig (Vista Mall) – Ortigas (Starmall Shaw)
• Bacoor, Cavite (Vista Mall Daang Hari/Molino) – Makati (Trasierra)
• Dasmariñas, Cavite (Vista Mall Dasmariñas) – Makati (Trasierra)
• Bacoor, Cavite (Vista Mall Daang Hari/Molino) – Alabang (Starmall Alabang)
• Dasmariñas, Cavite (Vista Mall Dasmariñas) – Alabang (Starmall Alabang)
San Agustin Transport Corporation
• Las Piñas (Las Piñas Southmall) – Makati (Trasierra)
• Noveleta, Cavite (Puregold and All Home Noveleta) – Makati (Trasierra)
• Imus, Cavite (Imus District) – Makati (Trasierra)
RRCG Transport
• Alabang (Alabang Town Center) – Makati (Greenbelt 1)
• Alabang (Ayala Malls Southpark) – Makati (Greenbelt 5)
• Alabang (Starmall Alabang) – Ortigas (Starmall EDSA-Shaw with special stops at SM Megamall and Robinsons Galleria)
• Antipolo, Rizal (SM City Masinag) – Makati (Greenbelt 5)
• Antipolo, Rizal (Robinsons Place Antipolo) – Ortigas (Robinsons Galleria)
• Cainta, Rizal (Robinsons Cainta) – Makati (Greenbelt 1)
HM Transport
• Fairview (Robinsons Novaliches) – Makati (Glorietta 3)
• Ortigas (Robinsons Galleria) – Makati (Glorietta 3)
• Saint Rose Transit
• Calamba, Laguna (SM Calamba) – Manila (Lawton Multimodal Terminal)
• Calamba, Laguna (SM Calamba) – Makati (Glorietta)
• Calamba, Laguna (SM Calamba) – Taguig (Market! Market! Bonifacio Global City)
These buses are required to follow limited passenger capacity and other safety protocols implemented by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for public transportation.
Grab sets new safety measures under new normal
Grab Philippines implemented new safety rules as the entire country adjusts to the new normal. The new protocols comply with physical distancing standards set by the IATF. For one, each car is only allowed to carry two people at most and both should be sitting close to the windows at the back of the vehicle [5].
Passengers who will be allowed to book rides will also be limited. People below the age of 21, pregnant women, immunocompromised persons, and senior citizens are highly encouraged not to leave their homes, and they will be subjected to exemptions set by the IATF. Passengers are recommended to opt for cashless transactions via GrabPay. Face masks will be mandatory for drivers and passengers; passengers can also cancel their ride if the driver is not wearing a mask.
Drivers are also responsible for disinfecting their ride after every trip. They will also be required to be the only ones to open and close doors. In terms of booking, passengers are not allowed to book for other people anymore for effective contact tracing; riders are required to show their booking code to the drivers.
NAIA prepares for the resumption of domestic flights
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been preparing for the resumption of domestic flights as Metro Manila has transitioned to GCQ starting last June 1. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has set domestic flights only between areas under GCQ.
According to the MIAA, only flights that will be approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will be considered for slotting [6]. Terminal assignments have also been reaffirmed. Terminal 1 will be servicing international commercial flights, Terminal 2 will service sweeper flights and repatriations, and Terminal 3 will be used by Cebu Pacific and AirAsia. Lastly, Terminal 4 will be closed.
Shopping News
Market day scheme will continue in Pasay City during GCQ
Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano reminded his constituents that the market scheme will continue in the city despite Metro Manila’s shift to GCQ. Rubisno said that the market scheme will remain so that marketplaces will not be crowded and everyone can get the chance to buy necessities.
Social distancing measures, mandatory wearing of face masks, use of alcohol and hand sanitizers, and temperature checks are also expected to continue in the markets. Markets will also no longer be requiring quarantine passes, but customers should bring IDs or Barangay certification. Persons below 20 years old will not be allowed to go inside the market, and senior citizens have to ask other persons to purchase goods for them.
The market schedule is divided according to the barangays. Residents of barangays 1 to 40, 68 to 92, 145 to 157, 183, and 187 to 201 can shop on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays. Meanwhile, barangays 41 to 67, 93 to 144, 158 to 182, and 184 to 156 can go to markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays [7]. Frontliners and buyers from outside the city can go on Sundays. Markets will operate from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Barbershops and salons allowed to operate in GCQ areas
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has allowed barbershops and salons to resume operations in GCQ areas starting June 7. However, there will be conditions on the operating capacity. For areas under GCQ, salons and barber shops are allowed to only have 30% capacity. For areas under MGCQ, the capacity will be up to 50%.
Along with these limitations, strict health protocol standards should be observed prior to opening in order to prevent COVID-19 transmissions among customers and workers [8]. In terms of services, customers can only avail of basic haircuts and hairstyles. Hair coloring may be allowed. Services that are not allowed are massage treatments, shaving, shampooing, waxing, threading, manicure, and pedicure since these require longer physical contact.
Holiday News: June 12 is Independence Day, a national holiday
June 12 is the Philippines’ Independence Day. The day is a national holiday, so work is suspended all over the Philippines.
Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Metro Manila.
Sources:
[1] https://bit.ly/2Y167Im
[2] https://bit.ly/2MsU8hn
[3] https://bit.ly/2Xx6qvm
[4] https://bit.ly/375cfDB
[5] https://bit.ly/2Y5gfjA
[6] https://bit.ly/3cwfrJt
[7] https://bit.ly/2XzSXmV
[8] https://bit.ly/3cveama
About Denisse Shawntel Tan
Denisse Tan is currently a work in progress: she’s an aspiring writer, artist, and fashion designer! She’s trying to figure out how to manage her time in achieving all of her goals while also taking in life as humanly possible. Aside from art, she’s a big fan of the color pink, disco music, Bratz dolls, and Genshin Impact. By age 35, she plans to travel to New York City 🗽.
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