PUV drivers are now required to wear personal air purifiers in Cebu
In Cebu, PUV drivers are now required to wear personal air purifiers.
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| Photo from: Gov. Gwen Garcia's Facebook page |
PUV drivers are now required to wear personal air purifiers in Cebu
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued the memorandum last August 13, 2021, and it will be effective today August 16, 2021, in hopes of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Under the new rule, public utility vehicle drivers are now required to have their own personal air purifiers and they should wear them at all times during the trip.
In a live-streamed press conference, Garcia stressed that personal air purifiers with HEPA filters and negative ions can catch virus, pollens, microbes, bacteria, and neutralize them.
You can do your research. This adds protection. I tell you, she said
Rappler reported that the governor encouraged PUV drivers and conductors to purchase their personal air purifiers through a supplier in Cebu since they are affordable.
However, the prices of personal air purifiers range from PHP 280 to PHP 2,000. Chairperson of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON)-Cebu Chapter Greg Perez notes the item is something that transportation drivers and conductors would not afford especially now that earning is difficult for drivers.
On average, PUV and jeepney drivers in the Philippines earn an estimate of PHP 300 daily, much less than what they used to earn before the pandemic.
In theory, ionization kills microbes. BUT, our local health department has not endorsed the use of personal air purifiers due to the lack of evidence of efficacy.
Personal air purifiers with negative ions are said to be effective in shielding users from germs, airborne viruses, dust, and molds in the air as well as prevent colds, lower stress levels, improve blood circulation and others. But, most brands are not claiming that they are effective against COVID-19.
The governor's intentions may be clean, but she should not impose rules on something that our local health department has not endorsed. Remember, she is a Governor, not COVID-19 expert.
DOH said that the best weapon against the spread of the coronavirus is still following health standards such as frequent washing of hands, wearing face masks, and observing physical distancing.
To recap, the very same governor also drew flak last year when she claims that doing "tuob" or inhaling steam from a basin of infused water while covering one's head can cure for COVID-19.
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