MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has been in constant coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) since its announcement that its free shuttle service for health workers will only run until April 14.
Usec. Philip Francisco Dy, the Vice President’s chief of staff said this on Thursday, citing news articles that “may have led to speculations regarding the end of the free shuttle service of the Office of the Vice President.”
“We wish to emphasize that our Office has been in constant coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) since announcing that the OVP’s free shuttle service will only be until April 14,” he said in a statement.
Earlier, Vice President Leni Robredo said her office has already submitted their findings and recommendations regarding the free shuttle service to the DOTr, which also has its own version of free rides for frontliners.
“We are grateful for DOTr’s openness and cooperation. We particularly note with appreciation that the agency had opened two routes similar to ours,” said Dy.
He was referring to the Route 3 (Route 3 (SM Mall of Asia in Pasay to Amang Rodriguez Hospital in Marikina) and Route 4 (EDSA Macapagal Avenue to Manila Central University Hospital in Caloocan City) of the OVP free shuttle service.
“In VP Leni’s letter to DOTr in preparation for the transition, recommendations were also offered, based on the experience of our regular passengers, our staff, and our volunteers,” he added.
According to Dy, these include having scheduled stops at every pick-up and drop-off point, posting daily reminders on routes and their schedules, and adopting strict precautionary measures like the provision of personal protective equipment for drivers and conductors, and regular disinfection.
“We continue to coordinate with DOTr officials regarding these very matters, as we have seen how these protocols made the experience better for our frontliners,” he said.
The free shuttle service from the office of Vice President Leni Robredo started on March 18 following the suspension of mass transport in Luzon under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on the entire island.
The ECQ was supposed to end at midnight on April 13 but was extended until April 30.
The OVP free service offered eight bus routes that transported about 450 health workers and frontliners daily to various private and public hospitals in Metro Manila.
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