Some passengers who used colorum vans to travel to Bicol provinces later tested positive for Covid-19, according to authorities.
Local authorities in Bicol said 79 of the individuals who boarded the unauthorized vans which were caught in recent anti-colorum operations tested positive for Covid-19
COLORUM or unauthorized transport vehicles pose a serious risk to commuters as they could be causing the spread of the Covid-19 virus, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
“Hindi ‘ho tayo uusad sa ating laban kontra sa Covid kung tahasan nating nilalabag ang mga quarantine protocols. Isantabi muna natin ang pansariling interes para isalba ang buhay ng nakararami,” Tugade said.
“Buhay ‘ho ang pinag-uusapan dito. Buhay ‘ho ang nakataya dito, kaya’t huwag tayong pasaway. Huwag tayong maging daan sa pagkalat ng Covid-19,” Tugade added in a statement.
The secretary made the remark after 12 colorum vans were apprehended in series of operations in Bicol a few days ago.
Local authorities in Bicol said 79 of the individuals who boarded the unauthorized vans which were caught in recent anti-colorum operations tested positive for Covid-19.
The number does not include the seven passengers caught in operations last April 1 and 2 who are now under isolation after testing positive for the virus.
Following the re-imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) over Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, the Bicol Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) reinstated checkpoints at various entry points in the region to ensure that motorists and commuters follow health protocols.
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However, since the suspension of provincial buses going to Bicol due to the ECQ, colorum vans have once again proliferated, according to the DOTr.
Dispatchers would look for passengers through social media and once the required passenger capacity is met, vans would pick up passengers “door-to-door.”
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said they have continued their monitoring in transport terminals in Pasay City and Cubao, Quezon City to spot and apprehend colorum van operators. (ONT)
Tags: #DepartmentOfTransportation, #LandTransportationOffice, #Covid19, #colorumvehicles