Ilocos- Manila buses travel Jan 31

By Ma. Joreina Therese A. Blanco

LAOAG CITY – The Ilocos Norte government allowed resumption of public utility buses (PUBs) travelling to and from Metro Manila starting Jan. 31.
    In executive order No. 113-21 signed by Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc, guidelines were set for the operation of PUBs while the province is under a relaxed community quarantine.
    The order stated provincial buses with Manila to Laoag City (vice versa) and Manila to Pagudpud (vice versa) routes will be allowed end of January.
    Initially, 20 buses a day will be allowed entry, subject to increase based on the demand of passengers.
    “Only those operators with routes permitted to travel to and from Metro Manila shall be allowed to operate subject to the issuance of corresponding quick response (QR) code by the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) Central Office.
    Those PUBs found to have violated requirements will be apprehended accordingly,” Manotoc’s order stated.
    For bus drivers and conductors, face mask and face shield were required to be worn at all times.
    Meanwhile, passengers were also mandated to wear face mask and face shield to be allowed to board the bus.
    Use of mobile phones and talking while inside the bus were also highly discouraged.
    Passengers need to secure a medical clearance certificate from the city or municipal health office or any hospital accredited by Dept. of Health,  travel authority issued by Philippine National Police, and a trip ticket acquired 48 hours prior to the actual date of trip.
    A negative rapid antigen test with swab collected within 24 hours was needed to be presented.
    Following protocols in Ilocos Norte, passengers must be accepted and approved for entry by the provincial government.
    To expedite their entry, scanned copies of the requirements will be sent to minc.pgin@gmail.com at least 48 hours before the scheduled trip.
    Returning residents, locally stranded individuals, and returning overseas workers will still undergo quarantine. -- PIA Ilocos Norte