QUEZON City Rep. Alfred Vargas on Sunday urged concerned national agencies to immediately address the transportation crisis affecting commuters in Metro Manila.

“The shortage in public transportation has not been effectively addressed ever since the national government allowed businesses and commercial establishments to resume full operations,” Vargas said.

Vargas said the shortage in public transportation is a burden on both workers and businesses.

“We have workers who have spent two years struggling to survive and businesses that barely stayed open. Now that the government has allowed businesses to resume operations, our workers struggle daily to get to work on time, and then go through the same ordeal to get home to their families,” Vargas said.

The crisis also affects businesses, Vargas said.

“When workers do not arrive on time and are too tired to work, it affects business operations as well,” he added.

Vargas also expressed concern that overcrowding in transport terminals and in buses could be contributing to the rise in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19)cases in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“The NCR is the country’s economic and business center. Any disruption in economic activities caused by a surge in cases will surely affect the economy and we cannot let that happen again,” Vargas said.

At the same time, Vargas said local government units (LGUs) should continue to lead the drive against COVID-19, with national government agencies providing timely advisories particularly on healthcare management.

“What we have established is that local governments have the advantage of knowing existing conditions at the granular level and can, therefore, address the issue more effectively,” he said.

“At this stage in our fight against the pandemic, our LGUs should receive timely guidance from the national agencies concerned, particularly on issues concerning healthcare management,” he added.

“The LGUs should continue to lead, and the national government should provide the guidance, and, if needed, support in terms of resources,” he added.

At the same time, Vargas pressed for stricter enforcement of established health protocols and public compliance following reports that five cities in the NCR have been placed under the moderate risk category by the Department of Health (DOH).

Vargas said there have been reports that some establishments have not been enforcing protocols strictly, such as the wearing of face masks.

“It is the duty and responsibility of local authorities, owners of establishments, and the public to make sure that health protocols continue to be observed. These protocols have not been lifted and should still be enforced,” he said.

“Gaya po ng laging sinasabi ng ating DOH, nandyan pa rin po and COVID-19. We need to learn to live and work safely despite the virus, and part of this entails making these protocols part of our everyday routine,” he said.

“We must remember that observing public health rules is an act of love and compassion. It is an expression of selflessness because compliance can be inconvenient or difficult at times. But as the two years of this pandemic have shown us, following evidence-based practice protects our families, friends, loved ones, and our fellow Filipinos,” Vargas added.