FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila - The Philippine Army (PA) has started providing transportation assistance to esential individuals such as medical health professionels, food industry personnel and other basic services workers starting yesterday, March 17, 2020.
Following the public transportation ban under the Enhanced Community Quarantine, the Army Headquarters and Headquarters Support Group utilized 18 military vehicles to operate within Metro Manila and neighboring municipalities.
Army vehicles’ routes include CAVITEX to Manila area and vice versa; Mall of Asia to Paranaque and vice versa; Guadalupe to SM North, Quezon City and vice versa; Ortigas Center to Sampaloc Manila area and vice versa; Ortigas Mandaluyong to Taytay Rizal and area vice versa; Araneta Center Cubao to SM Masinag, Marikina area and vice versa; as well as SM North EDSA to Fairview Terraces Quezon City, and vice versa.
As of writing, a total of 354 passengers were able to avail the ride.
“The Army is extending its capabilities in order to provide support it can give specially in transporting essential personnel to their place of destination. We still encourage non-essential personnel to cooperate with the government and just stay at home” said Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay. “We commend our medical professionals, food industry workers and other essential personnel who provide the needs for our people in this time of medical crisis,” he added.
The Army is evaluating the routes and density in order to come out with the new route schedule, to better serve these essential personnel. Once this assessment is made, the Army will announce the schedule.#