By Emme Rose Santiagudo
Following the traffic and human deadlock observed on the third day of General Community Quarantine (GCQ) on Monday, the Iloilo City government said it will no longer tolerate persons who will not abide by health protocols imposed in the city to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Around 200 compliance officers will be deployed around the city to ensure that health protocols are observed by the public, according to Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu.
“Naka-ready na ang aton mga 200 kabilog nga mga compliance officers, ginabriefing na naton sila. I-deploy ini naton sila para magbantay sang mga wala gafollow sang physical distancing,” Conlu said in a phone interview on Tuesday.
Conlu warned that in the coming weeks, they will start imposing the P500 fine on persons who fail to practice physical distancing and the mandatory use of face masks in public places.
For now, warnings will suffice.
“Sa subong gina-remind pa lang naton sila but as soon as matapos na ang publication period sang aton nga ordinance we will be strict on imposing the penalties,” he said.
On Monday, limited mass transportation made it impossible to cater to the surge of commuters in Iloilo City.
Passengers were stranded in jam-packed terminals where physical distancing was impossible to follow.
Conlu admitted that jam-packed terminals in the city remain their biggest challenge as physical distancing can be hardly implemented.
“Actually, ang pinakadako gid nga challenge ang terminals, amo ni nga area gid mabudlay ibantayan kay gamay lang man aton mga tawo,” he said.
He said that around 60 public utility jeepneys (PUJs) have been allowed to ply the city streets on Tuesday to accommodate the passengers.
Conlu is expecting the surge of commuters and the traffic jam in the city to subside in the coming days.
“Sa subong moderate to heavy ang aton na traffic and medyo nag-improve compared sang Lunes. Sang Monday, damo gid man nagsululod nga private cars sa city to transact amo na nagpugok aton traffic kag damo nga tawo ang naguluwa kay first Monday but in the coming days masubside naman ini, masige-sige na aton byahe sang PUJs,” he said.
In the meantime, Conlu appealed for understanding and patience among the public.
He emphasized that everyone should be responsible enough to follow health protocols especially physical distancing.
“Gapangayo gid kami cooperation kag discipline gid. Indi mabantayan sang mga personnel sa siyudad ang tanan nga gaguwa. Ang-ratio naton sa enforcer kag sa pumuluyo linibo amo gid na gina-ayo gid naton nga kita mismo dapat magpractice gid social distancing,” he said.
