Neil
As NCR shifted to General community quarantine (GCQ) on Monday, Atom Araullo and other netizens exposed the hardships citizens faced on the first day of its implementation.
Based on the guidelines, GCQ permits 50 percent of the workforce to report back to work after months of lockdown.
However, going back to work on the first day of GCQ was a nightmare for commuters. Since public utility vehicles are only allowed to accommodate half of its maximum capacity, other citizens were forced to walk their destination.
As commuters struggled to secure a ride, they also forgot about the safety practices needed to prevent COVID-19.
With this, Atom Araullo and other netizens expressed their dismay about the first day of GCQ.
Journalist Araullo said in a tweet that decision-making for the transportation sector should include commuters themselves and people who were forced to work amidst the pandemic.
“Sana kasama sa mga gumagawa ng desisyon sa mga panahong ito tungkol sa pampublikong transportasyon eh yung mga nagco-commute talaga. At yung mga pwersadong nang maghanap ng pagkakakitaan ngayon kahit kumakalat pa ang virus.” Araullo said.
Sana kasama sa mga gumagawa ng desisyon sa mga panahong ito tungkol sa pampublikong transportasyon eh yung mga nagco-commute talaga. At yung mga pwersadong nang maghanap ng pagkakakitaan ngayon kahit kumakalat pa ang virus.
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) June 1, 2020
A twitter user then replied, “They are making decisions about us without us”
“They are making decision about us without us.”
— DaDeTTe07 (@DaDeTTE07) June 1, 2020
Journalist Jacque Manabat shared her encounters with citizens that were intensely affected by the first day of GCQ.
Manabat revealed the struggles a senior citizen encountered while almost passing out due to fatigue.
67-year old Felica Osiana walked 30mins from Agham to QC City Hall hoping to get a ride. When she didn’t find any, she walked another hour to MRT3 North. MRT3 turned her away cause senior citizens aren’t allowed to travel based on IATF rules. She almost passed out due to fatigue. pic.twitter.com/PiShpbso0w
— Jacque Manabat (@jacquemanabat) June 1, 2020
Osiana was attended by the MRT3 medical team at the stairs going to the platform. I-ACT saw her situation and gave her a ride home.
Osiana was planning to claim her husband’s pension in San Juan today so she could buy her maintenance medicines.— Jacque Manabat (@jacquemanabat) June 1, 2020
Manabat also shared the struggle of a couple that needed to go to NSO for some needed documents as she might give birth the following day.
Couple Elizabeth & Necio hailing for a taxi for over an hour near MRT North Ave station. Elizabeth needs to go to NSO for needed documents before she gives birth possibly tomorrow. They were also turned away by the railways based on IATF rules re passengers allowed to travel. pic.twitter.com/Rb5WRIpNCp
— Jacque Manabat (@jacquemanabat) June 1, 2020
They walked slowly for 30 minutes from SM North EDSA to MRT North Ave stopping everytime Elizabeth is feeling nauseous. Elizabeth is carrying their fifth child. They lost their four other children to illness / miscarriage. pic.twitter.com/4K7VhEotCx
— Jacque Manabat (@jacquemanabat) June 1, 2020
Luckily, a Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) offered them a ride.
A TNVS gave the couple a ride home when they saw them hailing for a taxi near the MRT3 North Ave station. NSO is closed so they’ll figure out what to tell the hospital tomorrow if they’re asked for documents. pic.twitter.com/mueUdqmXZy
— Jacque Manabat (@jacquemanabat) June 1, 2020
More netizens expressed their problems with the first day of GCQ.
I do not understand government protocols. You ban jeepneys and tricycles and instead replicate their services using government resources WITHOUT ENFORCING your proud social distancing policy? You stripped people from their livelihood for this chickenshit? https://t.co/hIoDBfxxAc
— Alfonso Manalastas (@not_alfonso) June 1, 2020
Pero ang katotohanan silang mga decision makers ay di man lang nakaranas sumakay ng PUVs. Kaya milya milya ang agwat ng kanilang solusyon kumpara sa tunay na problema ng commuters.
— Pilosopo Tasyo (@djakasss) June 1, 2020
sir atom, DAPAT ang mga government officials ang nasa labas at nararanasan nila ang hirap na dinaranas nga ma Pilipino, hindi ung SARAP BUHAY LANG SILA
— valteo (@rlynrlyn29) June 1, 2020
Gustong umusad na ang ekonomiya pero ano ang napala ng pagkaraniwang mamamayan? Napakahabang pila, napakahabang lakaran, napakahabang paghihintay, napakahabang pasenya na lang ba palagi? Kulang sa plano, bara bara na lang ba talaga, si batman ba talaga patron nila? Ano na??!!
— Ching (@Ching_sep21) June 1, 2020
Unfortunately, the privilege rule the country and do the planning that is only suitable for the rich. Under GCQ business owners can start collecting bills and as for normal citizens we still can't go to work due to transportation problem.
— Phamfhersz (@L_spainhour) June 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/iamphilaranton/status/1267388341676195840?s=20
Maraming tao ang nagsasabi na magiging "chaotic" ang unang araw ng GCQ. At ito na nga ang nangyari.
Bakit ang gobyerno parang hindi nila alam? O sadyang wala silang kakayahang ayusin?
Involve nila kasi ang tao sa desisyon. Huwag sila sila lang.
— Mang Donald (@MangDonald8) June 1, 2020
Yes it's true. There must be a representative which will share and express the sides of the daily commuters.
— Felix Angelo S. Bermudez (@fortuneangel24) June 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/axalan_ruel/status/1267254236691042305?s=20
https://twitter.com/imbalbinangela/status/1266796369500487681?s=20
