PNP deploys vehicles to ferry stranded workers amid GCQ

PNP offers free rides for stranded workers in Metro Manila /PNP PIO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Wednesday that it has prepared vehicles to offer free rides to stranded employees as public transportation is still limited during the enforcement of the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila and in several areas of the country.

Police Major Gen. Dionardo Carlos, chief of Directorate for Police Community Relations, said in a statement that they have deployed 12 buses and troop carrier trucks from the PNP Special Action Force (SAF).

In another statement, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the PNP Libreng Sakay program has four routes with different pick-up points in Metro Manila.

Free rides can be availed daily from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Here are the routes:

Vehicle 1 Route: Camp Crame to Valenzuela via EDSA and vice versa

• Crame Edsa Northbound
• Trinoma
• Balintawak
• Monumento
• Valenzuela

Vehicle 2 Route: Camp Crame to Bacoor Cavite via EDSA and vice versa

• Edsa Cubao
• Marikina
• Antipolo

Vehicle 3 Route: Camp Crame to Bacoor, Cavite via Edsa/Parañaque Service Road and vice versa

• Edsa South Bound
• Airport Road
• Zapote

Vehicle 4 Route: Camp Crame to Valenzuela via Edsa and vice versa

• Crame Edsa South Bound
• Ortigas
• Sm Mega Mall
• Pasay Rotonda
• Airport Road
• Parañaque
• Zapote, Bacoor Boundary

Carlos said other police regional offices also coordinated with their respective local government units to deploy vehicles for stranded employees and workers who are now returning to work during the GCQ.

“Similar efforts are being replicated by the PROs in coordination with their LGUs and other government agencies,” he said.

Carlos also assured commuters that they will implement strict health procedures during the free rides to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“Personnel involved in the program were instructed to implement the required physical distancing thereby reducing the load capacity of the vehicles to 50 percent,” the police official said.

On Monday, Metro Manila shifted to a general community quarantine (GCQ) which also left several workers stranded because of a lack of public transportation.

Buses and jeepneys are not allowed to operate under a GCQ.

Meanwhile, trains, bus augmentation, taxis, shuttle services, and point-to-point buses are allowed to operate at reduced capacity.

READ: DOTr bares 2 phases of public transport revival in GCQ areas

/MUF