Land transport

There are no permanent isolation rooms established in airports for suspected COVID-19 cases, in compliance to quarantine guidelines Kalibo International Airport, which has direct flights to Wuhan, China was provided with a temporary isolation room at the international passenger terminal building under the supervision of the Bureau of Quarantine.

No established airport protocols for public health emergencies. Operations manual and procedures do not respond to the changing of operational norms, just like what is happening under the COVID-19 pandemic. There are cases when stranded passengers were accommodated in pre-departure areas of airports and meals, beddings and transportation were shouldered by the LGUs and congressmen. Airport authorities must formulate and provide guidance on protocols to be followed in times of disasters or medical emergencies.

Land transport

Challenge of distancing passengers. During the initial 14-day ECQ in March, public transportation did not follow physical distancing and jeepneys were operating in full capacity. To prevent the spread of the virus, mobility of people was limited to one person per household. Public transportation operated at reduced capacity in accordance with guidelines issued by DOTr. Eventually, barriers were put in place between passengers of jeepneys, taxis, vans and buses to adhere to physical distancing. For motorcycle riders, a proposal to reconfigure the motorcycle to allow physical distancing, even with a back rider is being considered.

The lack of public transportation and border restrictions affected frontline workers, as

well as, transport of basic supplies and commodities. Frontliners, especially health, fastfoods, groceries and market workers, were affected. In the first 14 days of ECQ, public vehicles plying the streets were limited to buses and mini-buses and tricycles with only three passengers. However, these were not enough to cater to the riding needs of the frontliners. LGUs initiated the Libreng Sakay scheme by tapping private bus companies to provide transport for health workers and other frontliners. Hospitals, call centers and other business establishments also provided transport support as well as temporary housing to limit exposure to the virus. Bicycles and e-trikes were also used by workers to commute from home to work and back.

The lack of public transportation affected the delivery of farm and fishery produce to mills, warehouses, markets and cold storage facilities. To facilitate the movement of supplies and basic commodities, the DA and BFAR issued food lane accreditation and vehicle passes at Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC) in Hamungaya, Jaro, Iloilo City and DA-designated offices in the provinces. It is a one-time application per vehicle for local transporters/shippers of farm and fishery products around Western Visayas. A total of 2,608 food lane conduct passes were issued in March 2020.

Loss of daily income of drivers and operators who have to comply with quarantine

restrictions. Reduced number of passengers meant less income for drivers and operators. Thus, many refrained from plying their route given that their daily income cannot sustain the expenses for gasoline and vehicle rental. Also hard-hit were tricycle and trisikad/pedicab drivers who had no formal association nor insurance to tide them over.