FREE RIDES FOR HEALTH WORKERS. A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) member checks the ID of a passenger aboard one of its buses providing free bus rides to health workers in Metro Manila on Wednesday (March 18). The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday increased the number of routes providing free rides to nine, with a total of 61 buses. (Photo courtesy of PCG)
MANILA – The mobility of health workers in Metro Manila has improved after new routes and more buses have been added to the free transportation provided by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and partners from the public and private sectors.
On a Facebook post, the DOTr said starting Thursday (March 19), the number of routes for its free ride program will increase to nine routes, from the previous three.
In a message, DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said the number of buses that would ply the routes also increased to 61 after more public agencies and private bus companies provided more buses.
She added that the buses would not only take the workers to the hospitals but would also take them back to drop off points near their homes.
The first route would cover the northwest area of Metro Manila starting at Malanday and would pass through Valenzuela City General Hospital, Monumento/Manila Central University, Tondo General Hospital, Metropolitan Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Chinese General Hospital until its endpoint at the United Doctors Medical Center on Welcome Rotonda.
Covering the same area, the second route would begin at the Valenzuela Gateway Complex, Quezon City General Hospital, Balintawak, Philippine Orthopedic, and ending at the United Doctors Medical Center.
The third route would serve the northeast area and would begin at the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial in Caloocan, SM Fairview, Diliman Doctors Hospital, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Heart Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Philippine Children’s Hospital, and would end at Centris Station on Edsa.
For the east area, the fourth route would begin at SM City Masinag, Marikina Valley Medical Center, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Bayani Fernando Central Terminal East Metro Transport Terminal, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Araneta Center Bus Terminal, Robinson’s Galleria, and its endpoint at the Medical City – Ortigas.
From the east area as well, the fifth route would begin at the Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare in Cainta, going through SM City East Ortigas, Pasig City General Hospital, The Medical City Ortigas, Robinson’s Galleria, VRP Medical Center, Saint Luke’s Medical Center, and its final drop off point at Rizal Medical Center.
Covering the Central Area, the sixth route would begin at Centris Station on Edsa and would pass through Providence Hospital, Capitol Medical Center, United Doctors Medical Center on Welcome Rotonda, UERM Memorial Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, De Los Santos Medical Center on E. Rodriguez, and until its last stop at the MRT-3 Cubao Station.
The seventh route would cover the same area in Metro Manila and would begin at the Medical City – Ortigas, Robinson’s Galleria, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Santa Ana Hospital, and ending at the Makati Medical Center.
Covering Metro Manila’s southeast area, the eighth route would begin at the RITM and would go through the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Muntinlupa City Hospital, South Station, SLEX Sucat Exit, Bicutan Exit, Makati Medical Center, and would end at the Saint Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City.
The ninth and final route would cover the southwest area and would start at Vista Mall in Daan Hari, passing through Perpetual Help Medical Center in Las Piñas, Las Piñas General Hospital, Baclaran Market, San Juan de Dios Educational Medical Center, Pasay City General Hospital, Adventist Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, Manila Doctor’s Hospital, and ending at United Doctors Medical Center on Welcome Rotonda.
“This initiative was made possible in cooperation with the Office of the President, Philippine Coast Guard, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Land Transportation Office, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Inter-Agency Council for Traffic, House of Representatives, Office of the Solicitor General, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and private bus companies such as HM Transit, San Agustin, MetroExpress, RRCG, Precious Grace, Ceres, Jac Liner, St. Rose, and automotive company Foton,” the DOTr said.
Earlier, the DOTr said the bus service would comply with protocols set by the Department of Health to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.
These protocols include social distancing, body temperature checks, and regular disinfection of vehicles. (PNA)
