The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it has acquired additional service vehicles, as part of its overall response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the new vehicles, a passenger bus, a coaster, and a six-wheeler light cargo truck will help bring their personnel to their homes in nearby provinces.

Jimenez added that these new buses would augment the poll body’s leased shuttle vehicles and would enable them to better serve their personnel who reside in the neighboring provinces of Laguna and Cavite.

“Public transportation has been one of the more challenging aspects of the return to normalcy, in the wake of the imposition of community quarantines on various regions of the country, including the National Capital Region (NCR). Even with NCR and surrounding provinces under general community quarantine, mass public transportation still operates under reduced capacity,” the poll body official added.

At the same time, Jimenez said the new vehicles could also be used for transporting various election supplies and paraphernalia.

“As we approach the election year, the Comelec’s hauling requirements will also be growing and augmenting our capabilities in this regard makes good economic sense,” he added.

The poll body said the coaster was delivered on August 19, while the rest are scheduled to be delivered within the month of September.

The vehicles were purchased from One Alliance Motor Source, Inc.

Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Batangas, and the city of Tacloban are under GCQ until September 30. (PNA)