Cebu police vow to reinforce orders vs. overloaded PUVs
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Police in Cebu province vowed to reinforce recent orders from the Capitol that prohibit and penalize operators of overloaded Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs).
This after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia met with all police station chiefs in Cebu province on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, to discuss how to effectively implement her recently issued Executive Order (EO) No. 35-B that prohibits overloading and air-conditioned buses in operating as measures against COVID-19.
Police Colonel Engelbert Soriano, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), and also present during Wednesday’s meeting, admitted there were shortcomings on their part in enforcing the EO.
Soriano also apologized in front of Garcia and the police gathered there.
“I admit of our shortcomings and if you may allow us, we will improve our enforcement,” said Soriano.
In a follow-up interview, Soriano told reporters that they will be improving on how to effectively and efficiently implement the new directives from the Capitol.
“Our police were implementing. It’s just that, the fault of my office, we sent inaccurate pictures. And that’s what the governor pointed out,” said Soriano in Cebuano.
“We noted inefficiency in enforcing but at least, everything has been clarified and our police now has a clearer picture on doing the implementation. On my part, I commit that there will be improvements on implementing the EOs,” he added.
Garcia called for a meeting to physically meet with police chiefs in Cebu province after expressing dissatisfaction with how EO No. 35-B was being implemented.
Issued last August 5, EO No. 35-B laid down guidelines for the operation of public utility vehicles (PUVs) during Cebu’s ‘General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions’ phase.
The new rule mandated operators of buses and mini-buses in the province to present a trip ticket on police-manned inspections as proof they have complied with the health protocols on public transportation.
This included operating at a maximum capacity of 75 percent, and that their vehicles are running without powering their air conditioners.
Cebu’s quarantine status was moved to a stricter GCQ classification due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
/bmjo
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