ILOILO – Public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the province are becoming lax in enforcing social distancing rules aimed to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to Gov. Athur Defensor Jr.
“Nagalipas ang tiempo, nagahalog ang enforcement sang social distancing sa mga PUVs,” the governor lamented.
Social distancing means increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness such as the COVID-19.
Because COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales, social distancing is highly recommended by the Department of Health and the World Health Organization.
In a convergence meeting last week, Defensor tasked the Iloilo Police Provincial Office and Land Transportation Office to ensure compliance of PUVs.
He likewise reiterated the provisions of his Executive Order No. 183, Series of 2020, which mandates social distancing in public transportation.
The objective of social distancing is to reduce the probability of contact between persons carrying an infection, and others who are not infected, so as to minimize disease transmission, morbidity and ultimately, mortality.
“Ara pa kita sa tunga sang pandemya. Waay pa matapos ang problema. Gamay man lang nga agwanta ang ginapangayo naton kay naganami na ang numero naton. Sustineron ta na lang ang aton trabaho kay basi sa Enero mas nami na ang aton pangabuhi,” said Defensor.
As of Wednesday night, the province had a total of 2,552 COVID-19 cases, 265 of which were active, 2199 recovered and 90 dead./PN
