The latest Memorandum Circular (MC) issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) requiring the wearing of face shield or eye protector when boarding public utility vehicles (PUVs) received positive response among Dabawenyos most of whom say they feel safer from Covid-19 exposure.
On Monday night (August 3, 2020), LTFRB issued MC No. 2020-031 entitled “Requirements for drivers, conductors, and passengers inside PUVs’ with the emphasis on the following guidelines: strictly require all drivers, conductors and passengers of PUVs to wear face masks and face shield/eye protector inside PUVs; failrure to wear face mask and face shield/eye protectors shall be reasonable ground to refuse/deny boarding in any PUV; and to refrain from unnecessary talking or making/taking calls while inside PUVs.
Eliza Lizardo said the new measure has guaranteed more protection for commuters like her.
“Okay kaayo na (MC), kay ako bisag dili mosakay ug jeep, gusto ko mag face shield. Makadungag na sa proteksyon. Kay ang uban baya ang ginagamit na face mask kato rang cloth ug dili garantisado na maka-protect jud,” she said.
Lizardo said wearing of face shield inside the jeepneys should have been implemented from the start as to ensure safety.
“Ang kapait lang ana kay katong mga poorest of the poor kay kailangan pa mopalit ug face shield, makuhaan na pud ilang budget na dapat pang pagkaon na unta to,” she added.
Mary Rose Liguid Libarios said wearing face shield when riding a jeepney is an assurance that a passenger will not get infected with Covid-19.
“Mas maayo kung naka-face shield ang tanang tao nga mosakay sa jeep kay una mas taas ug chance nga dili ka mahawaan ky tungod naay protection since nga makatakod ni nga virus pinaagi sa pag-ubo ug pag-hatsing.
Daghan man gud kaau mga tao nga gahi ug ulo maskin face mask dili pa kabalo mogamit. Makatabang pud ni siya sa akong pang-lantaw nga dili kaayo mo-spread ang virus. Unta kung ma-implement na ni dakpon jud ug multahan ang mga malapason ani bag-ong balaod. Maskin hasol unta ni nga sistema pero para sa akoa. Okay ni siya basta masunod lng,” she said.
Meanwhile, young professionals find the addititional ‘accessory’ as one with a good purpose.
“For me, okay man for safety purposes. Pero hassle jud siya unya igang. Plus, gasto kay need na sad mupalit ug face shield/eyeprotector,” said Golda Meir Veloso, online seller.
“Okay siya for protection sa tao kaso lang hasol siya labaw na sa mga tao na naga-eye glasses. Unya dungag gasto sa mga pobre na sakto ra ang kwarta,” said Fatima Garcia.
“Para sa akoa okay lang jud siya kay based sa studies 82 percent lang ta protected sa surgical masks. But if naay masks plus face shield kay 99 percent protected. Basta unsay maka-gamay sa positive cases diri sa Davao, mas maayo sundon,” said Genafe Napoles.
The new MC also requires drivers, conductors, and passengers inside the PUVs to observe social distancing, strictly comply with the standard health procedures laid down in the previous issuances of the Board in line with public health protocols as required by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
