The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is seeing a positive impact of increased ridership in public transportation on the economy and livelihood of the majority.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III explained the livelihood of formal and informal workers can gradually resume once the one-meter physical distancing default eases.
More companies will open and more employees will be reporting back to work. The expanded capacity will help transportation drivers and operators whose source of income were halted due to suspended public transportation.
“With that, ma-i-increase ‘yung average capacity of ridership. With that, mabubuhay ‘yung transportation industry…Hindi mo ma-recover ang economy kung walang transportation, that is it (With that, the average capacity of ridership will increase. With that, the transportation industry will be revived… The economy cannot recover without transportation),” Bello pointed.
The DOLE reported that the 17 percent unemployment rate has gone down to 10 percent. This decline is attributed to the opening of more industries toward the new normal.
The labor secretary believes the easing of physical distancing among passengers will be safe with the observance of health protocols.
– Report from Louisa Erispe
