A LABOR group called out the provincial government of Cebu for being "insensitive and irresponsible" for requiring drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) to use wearable personal air purifiers. 

In a statement on Sunday, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) tagged the requirement as a "questionable policy," since it lacked the support of the Department of Health (DOH) as well as consultations with affected drivers.  

"Without sound scientific evidence, or support from the DOH, we therefore are confused as to what the basis is for this requirement," SENTRO said. 

It said the additional requirement spells more expenses fpr drivers and conductors, who are already reeling from the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns on their livelihood. 

"To force transport workers to purchase, out of their own pocket, air purifiers that have not been proven to fight Covid-19 is therefore insensitive and irresponsible," SENTRO said. 

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued the controversial policy, which takes effect on Monday, to help minimize the alarming increase of Covid-19 cases in her province. 

Garcia earlier drew public criticism for shortening the quarantine period in Cebu for inbound travelers to two to three days instead of at least seven days, as mandated by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). 

She later withdrew the shortened quarantine period through the intervention of Malacañang. 

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