An official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said majority of mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR) support the resumption of public transportation in the region to help the public resume their livelihood.

In an online media conference on Monday, MMDA General Manager Arturo “Jojo” Garcia said the Metro Manila Council (MMC) — composed of NCR mayors and the MMDA — will leave the decision on whether to extend the current modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) or shift to a general community quarantine (GCQ) in NCR to the Inter-agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“We trust the decision of the IATF-EID kung maging ano man ang desisyon nila. Kasi ang IATF-EID mas kumpleto yan (whatever it may be. Because the IATF-EID has the complete data),” Garcia said.

However, he said the MMC supports the resumption of public transportation in the region to help the public resume their work and livelihood.

“Kesa mag-MECQ tayo, o mag-move tayo sa GCQ, at least magkaroon ng public transportation. Luluwag, makakapag-trabaho, kasi nga hindi na rin natin kaya na mag-ECQ [enhanced community quaratine] pa (If we have a MECQ, or we move to a GCQ, we must have public transportation at least. Things will be less strict; people will be able to work. Because we can’t have an ECQ),” Garcia said.

He said the MMC also recommends having more public transportation units available to prevent overcrowding and less physical distancing violations.

“Yung public transportation okay lang i-adjust. Kasi nga mas madami, mas mapro-protektahan natin ang mga mananakay kasi nga madami available, hindi kailangan magsiksikan (It’s okay if we adjust public transportation. Because the more it is available, the more we’re able to protect commuters, there’s no need to violate physical distancing),” Garcia said.

He said the MMC would leave the decision on the resumption of public utility vehicles operation to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Meanwhile, he said that if the NCR is to shift to a GCQ, the MMC recommended that there should be stricter health and safety protocols for business establishments similar to the GCQ back in June. (PNA)