Chaotic scenes as the Philippines eases coronavirus lockdown but buses run reduced services

Thousands of workers were stranded on the first day of coronavirus restrictions being eased in the Philippines with buses running at reduced capacity.

Footage shows locals waiting desperately by the roadside in Quezon City in the Metro Manila region on June 1.

Although some services were provided for front line workers, many government and private buses were not in use, which left residents without a way to travel to work.

Rosalie Coz said she waited on the Commonwealth Avenue for two hours from 6am until 8am before giving up and returning home.

She said: "Some of use are decided to go home because of the limited transportation." The Metro Manila had been under almost 80 days of strict stay-at-home measures which is one of the longest in the world.

Each region follows a different stay-at-home measure which is based on the area's coronavirus risk level assessed by the local government.

Recently, the country had shifted from the Enhanced Community Quarantine which closes down all businesses except food and health sectors, into General Community Quarantine which allows more industry to operate.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade asked the public to be more understanding of the situation.

He said: "We are asking for your patience and understanding.

We did not promise that we can provide the enough and extensive transportation during the first day of GCQ or even in the duration of GCQ."