DOTr readies contingency actions for PH aviation sector amid COVID-19 quarantine; instructs implementation of “rental holidays” and deferred payment of rental charges for airport concessionaires
25 March 2020
DOTr readies contingency actions for PH aviation sector amid COVID-19 quarantine; instructs implementation of “rental holidays” and deferred payment of rental charges for airport concessionaires
PASAY CITY — Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade met yesterday with aviation sector officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to map out continuing contingency measures for the country’s aviation sector under the ongoing enhanced community quarantine being enforced in Luzon to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Before the meeting started at the Civil Aviation Training Center (CATC) in Pasay City, Secretary Tugade reminded the officials in attendance to strictly observe the protocols set by the Department of Health against COVID-19 such as physical distancing, and the regular washing of hands and disinfection.
The meeting was attended by DOTr Undersecretary for Finance Garry de Guzman, Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Project Implementation Giovanni Lopez, Civil Aeronautics Board Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla, Assistant Secretary for Aviation Jaime Alberto Melo, CAAP Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco, and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal.
During the meeting, Secretary Tugade and DOTr aviation sector officials mapped out plans and did a scenario analysis to assure readiness of the Department in the event of worst-case situations giving rise to stoppage of airline operations and closure of airports.
“We need to be prepared for any possible scenario and to employ all possible countermeasures including what may appear to be drastic and extreme ones. But we, at the DOTr, remain committed to the government’s effort to protect our country and the health of its citizens against this deadly coronavirus,” said Secretary Tugade.
Further, Secretary Tugade also instructed MIAA and CAAP to extend to airport concessionaires “rental holidays” for one month and a deferral of rental charges on the succeeding month to cover the enhanced community quarantine period, with further extensions if required, subject to regular monthly review.
According to Secretary Tugade, the “rental holiday” and the deferral of payment of rental charges for airport concessionaires are immediately executory.
He added that such moves are now needed to cushion the economic impact of COVID-19 on the country’s aviation industry and its stakeholders.
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DOTr starts distribution of 150K face masks to hospitals, health workers, frontline personnel
24 March 2020
DOTr starts distribution of 150K face masks to hospitals, health workers, frontline personnel
As the country continues its battle against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has started the distribution of 150,000 face masks to frontline health workers and essential personnel yesterday, 23 March 2020.
The Department earlier assured that priority will be given to hospitals, its frontline employees, those involved in port and airport operations, enforcers, and drivers helping in ferrying health workers under the DOTr Free Ride program.
Hospitals included in the distribution list are: Medical Center Manila, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, San Lazaro Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Perpetual Help Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, The Medical City – Ortigas, and UST Hospital.
Workers of DOTr offices will also be provided with face masks, including the Road sector, DOTr Emergency Operations Center, DOTr Central Office, DOTr MRT-3, Office for Transportation Security, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine Ports Authority, and the Land Transportation Office.
Lastly, enforcers of Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group helping in the orderly implementation of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community quarantine will also receive free face masks.
The distribution of face masks was made possible after a Good Samaritan pledged to DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade on 20 March 2020 to supply the said personal protective equipment.
In a message, the transportation chief reiterated his gratitude to the Good Samaritan who humbly extended help for the country’s frontline workers amid uncertainties on face mask shortages.
“In desperate times like this, there are unsung heroes, who will go the extra mile to help our kababayans. Although we want to cover all hospitals as much as possible, we are happy for the 150,000 [face masks] readily available now. Ipapamahagi namin ito sa mga bayaning nagsasakripisyo para matulungan tayong makalagpas sa krisis na ito. Ito ang tulong namin sa inyo. Isa itong patunay na saludo kami sa trabaho ninyo,” Secretary Arthur Tugade expressed.
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DOTr to distribute 100K face masks to hospitals, frontline employees, health workers amid COVID-19 pandemic
21 March 2020
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to distribute 100,000 face masks to hospitals, its frontline employees, including those involved in port and airport operations, enforcers, drivers, persons involved in the DOTr Free Ride program, and health workers.
This, after a Good Samaritan donated the face masks to DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade yesterday, 20 March 2020.
“To the one who donated these hundred thousand face masks, I, on behalf of the DOTr and the entire country, express our sincerest gratitude. This will greatly help our frontline employees, and of course, our health workers. These people are leaving their homes to fulfill their sworn duty — to serve the country, and to save lives. Thank you for your utmost concern and compassion to our countrymen,” Secretary Arthur Tugade expressed.
According to Transportation Undersecretary for Administrative Service and DOTr representative to the IATF Artemio Tuazon, Jr. the face masks will be distributed as soon as possible to swiftly help those that neeed it the most.
“The face masks that will be used by frontline employees, especially those in port and airport operations, enforcers, drivers, health workers and those involved in the DOTr’s Free Ride program, will be distributed today. Those that will be given to the skeletal workforce of the DOTr Central Office and its attached agencies will be distributed starting on Monday, 23 March 2020,” Usec. Tuazon said.
The DOTr will likewise donate bulk of the face masks to public hospitals on Monday, 23 March 2020. To be provided with face masks are health workers assigned at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa, San Lazaro Hospital, Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila, and the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City, among others.
“We’re currently facing a battle against something that we can’t see — and that distress taught us that it is high time for Filipinos to show the world that we still have that indomitable bayanihan spirit,” Secretary Tugade added.
To help health workers with their commuting needs, amid the enforcement of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the entire Luzon, the DOTr has been deploying buses — in coordination with several government agencies, and private companies since 18 March 2020.
The free ride initiative of the department involves the deployment of 72 buses, and two (2) modern Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs), all of which are sent out in compliance with the disease containment protocols set by the Department of Health (DOH) such as the observance of social distancing, checking of body temperature, and regular disinfecting of vehicles.
The shuttle service has 14 routes, which ferry passengers at 5AM, 7AM, 1PM, 3PM, 5PM, and 7PM.
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