DOTr Statement on the decision of AFPI not to waive fees for beep card cost for passengers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We are saddened by the refusal of AF Payments, Inc., the provider of the automatic fare collection system (AFCS) at the EDSA Busway, to waive the cost of the beep card despite consistent pleas made by the government. This would have made a big difference to the commuters, mostly daily wage earners who are the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thus, starting Monday, 05 October 2020, we are suspending the mandatory use beep cards at the EDSA Busway until the issue is resolved.

In the meantime, a dual payment system will be honored for EDSA Busway passengers. Those who have already bought or have existing beep cards may still use them for the payment of fares. Meanwhile, off board cash payment will be accomodated for those who have no card yet. Cash payments will be collected by personnel from the EDSA Bus Consortia at the stations. These personnel will be wearing appropriate face shields, face masks, and gloves to prevent the transmission of COVID-19

Meanwhile, the EDSA Bus Consortia stated that they will look for another AFCS provider who can offer a better solution to the existing problem. Meeting with other AFCS providers is scheduled on Tuesday morning.

Harry Roque invites us to Boracay

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Secretary Harry Roque invites residents from GCQ and MGCQ areas to come to Boracay."

Asked if President Duterte will visit Boracay, Roque said it will be one of his suggestions to when they meet on Monday.

According to Roque, tourists going to Boracay may include 21 years old and below, and 60 years old and above.

He also said in a virtual Palace briefing, that the reopening of the famous beach island would support tourism industry workers and businesses amid the prevailing #Covid19 pandemic. 

Roque visited the island to ensure that safety protocols vs #COVID19 are being implemented now that it has reopened to local tourists. 

IATF approved the re-opening of Boracay to tourists from GCQ and MGCQ starting October 1, 2020. 

Test-before-travel requirement is set for Boracay. Only those with negative swab tests can proceed to the island.

Also strict quarantine shall be observe, age restrictions are relaxed, only Godofredo Ramos airport is the port of entry for tourists

Roque says besides Boracay, Baguio and Bohol have also started to reopen tourism to revive the economy.

From Manila Bay to Boracay, the lady who  took photo ops while wearing a swimsuit at the Manila Bay sands opening, and now dubbed as “Miss Dolomite” Renalyn Macato was surprisingly also there. Here she is posing for photograph on Boracay beach.

Is she there on her own expense or did the government sponsored her trip there.

Many people seem to miss out on the fact that Harry Roque was/is also in Boracay. Chances are, they (governmentt) may have sponsored Renalyn's trip to have her with them in the island and be a model/ambassador of sorts.

Namimili ba ang Wuhan virus ng hindi naka-vacation mode?

While the country is in a recession and many Filipinos are suffering from COVID-compounded poverty and hunger, Harry Roque and the Philippine government encourage us to go to Boracay. Their reality is indeed different from ours.

"Ang aking masayang lugar mula noon, hanggang ngayon," Roque said in a Facebook post. 

Roque is winning in life than most of us:

1. He went to Subic and had fun with the dolphins;

2. He’s in Boracay enjoying the beach.

'Harry Roque’s job isn’t just a presidential spox, he covers Duterte’s ass and licks his shit. Too bad his boss’ mouth is like an exploding diarrhea that’s hard to clean. Too messy. I admire his dedication though. He swallowed his pride and threw away his principles to keep that role."

Meanwhile, the memes of Roque followed. It was bound to happen.

And I'm sure more will be coming soon.

DOTr reiterates its firm stance on the issue of beep card payment

Wazzup Pilipinas?!


The Department of Transportation is reiterating its call for AF Payments Inc. (AFPI), the service provider of the "beep" card, to immediately remove the payment for the card, on top of the fare load, otherwise it will suspend the use of the automatic fare collection system in the EDSA Busway.

We are asking AFPI to remove the service fee and other charges that total a significant amount for the cost of the card, the payment of which has been an additional burden for passengers. These are, the ordinary commuters who are still reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 and the strictly enforced community quarantines in their livelihood. Thus, they should be spared from this additional burden.

We call on the AFPI to view the card cost fee as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to help its clients endure the result of the pandemic.

The DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered that PUVs must shift to cashless transactions to minimize, if not, avoid human interaction to reduce the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

The LTFRB is set to issue by next week, a Memorandum Circular directing all public utility vehicle (PUV) operators not to place the cost of the cashless payment system, especially the AFCS card, to the commuters.

Further, there are other AFCS providers and other modes of cashless transactions that PUV operators may tap.

Thus, should the AFPI refuse to cooperate by allowing the free use of the "beep" card to commuters upon payment of the fare load, the DOTr will have suspend its use in the EDSA Busway to alleviate the burden of commuters.