PCG sends eight vehicles for health workers in Metro Manila

March 18, 2020

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed at least eight vehicles to provide free transportation for  health workers in Metro Manila.

Commodore Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, said it has deployed a total of four buses and four Innova vehicles to provide free rides for health workers.

"So far most of the request to us are from health workers from Philippine General Hospital and Manila Doctors hospital," he said.

"We are also getting calls to transport dialysis patients. We will dispatch teams to assist while we can and while we still have available vehicles, we will transport them. I am trying to get all available vehicles here at the headquarters," he added.

As part of the Department of Transportation's "libreng sakay or free ride" the PCG vehicles will provide transportation from BFCT East Metro Transport Terminal in Marikina City to San Lazaro hospital in Manila via East Avenue and E. Rodriguez.

Health workers expected to benefit the PCG's free rides are those who are working at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, Providence Hospital, Capitol Medical Center, St. Lukes Medical Center - East Ave., University of Sto. Tomas Hospital and San Lazaro Hospital.

According to the PCG, the routes of there vehicles may still change depending on the data and requests from the Department of Health (DOH).

The PCG also emphasized that the bus service also complies with the DOH containment protocols which includes the observance of social distancing, body temperature checks, and regular disinfecting of the vehicles. Robina Asido/DMS