Act before it’s too late

FOR the right reasons, jeepneys and tricycles are finally running up and down highways, roads and streets. That’s the good news.

Now the bad news. The jeepneys and tricycle operators and drivers appear to be vengeful, making commuters suffer for their long period of deprivation, since March. Abusive drivers have been charging fares beyond authorized rates before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stories of shocked and horrified commuters about over-charging by drivers, being made to pay as much as double what they used to pay for their usual itineraries, abound daily. But worse, local governments don’t appear to be keen on acting on these complaints.

Commuters have reason to complain and with valid reasons. There could, indeed, be no rational basis for the new and higher fares because there have been no drastic increase in fuel costs, no farther routes being taken, and no improvement in comfort of seats.

Until local governments regulate and impose penalties for violators, communities can expect more violations of established protocols for the duration of the pandemic. Such was the case in Metro Manila whose status was reverted to MECQ because of failure of local governments to strictly enforce the simple protocols

Our local governments should act on simple enforcements before it’s too late.

 

‘Bite the bullet’

METRO Manila is the country’s hardest hit by the pandemic because it is the most populated region with its 12 million inhabitants from the Philippines’ 110 million population.  The country now has more than 112,593 infections, almost half of that (59,805) come from Metro Manila.  With the metropolis recording more than 1,033 deaths already since COVID-19 struck in March, poor Metro Manila has become the virus epicenter.  Wonder no more then that President Duterte has re-imposed a lockdown on Metro Manila from August 4 to August 18, together with its neighbors Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.  Halted once again are public transport operations, basically crippling workforce movement of essentials-producing factories.  Thankfully, hospitals and several Samaritans provide free ride for our front liners.

Overall, we need to “bite the bullet” while the virus-vaccine remains undiscovered.  Patience, my dear.

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments