This Week in Metro Manila (March 19 to 25, 2022)

Transportation and venues have increased capacity, travel restrictions, and lessened requirements under the new normal. The Malacañang announced last March 15 that Metro Manila and other areas will remain under Alert Level 1 until March 31. Alert level 1 is currently the least restrictive classification with its guidelines and restrictions loosened [1].

The Makati City LGU resumed the regular coding scheme for transportation vehicles in the area starting last March 16, 2022. According to the My Makati Facebook page, the transportation guidelines and restrictions for number coding schemes under the new normal will be from 7:00AM to 7:00PM [2]. The new normal transportation guidelines for number coding exempts Senior Citizen Blue Card holders (for both driver and passenger) and medical emergencies. The new normal number coding restrictions for transportation will be lifted on holidays.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced that inter-regional provincial bus routes resumed operations starting March 8. With this update on transportation under the new normal, commuter routes will return to their respective original transportation terminals: CALABARZON routes will be back on Araneta Bus Terminal; provincial routes that has endpoints in Pasay, Makati, Buendia, and Manila pre-COVID will continue to continue its transportation endpoint at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) under the new normal.

According to the new normal transportation and guidelines, Visayas and Mindanao routes to Metro Manila will be at Santa Rosa Integrated Terminal (SRIT) [3].

Passengers are encouraged by the LTFRB to follow the standard health protocols and restrictions for safe travels under the new normal.

The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) issued an advisory that they will increase electricity rates during March—with an increase of PhP0.0625 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which means the price per kWh will be at PhP9.6467 [4].

With summer officially starting, concerns about water supply surfaced. Still, the Manila Water assures enough water to provide a stable water supply during summer—despite Angat Dam’s lower level. Manila Water adds that contingencies are being made among various water systems, treatment plans, and agencies in Cardona and Marikina [5].

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Sinovac in the inoculation of children ages six and older [6] in the Philippines. Guidelines and restrictions for the pediatric vaccination using Sinovac are still being finalized by the Department of Health (DOH) as of March 14.

Other vaccine brands authorized for pediatric vaccination in the Philippines include Pfizer.

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Metro Manila!