20 March 2020
DOTr rolls out 74 units, increases new routes to 13 for the Free Ride Program for health workers affected by Enhanced Community Quarantine
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) continues with the mission to ferry health personnel to their workplaces daily, as its free ride for health workers rolls out on its third day. The free ride is being done amid the implementation of an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
The free bus service, which started Tuesday, 18 March 2020, is in line with the instruction of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to DOTr road sector agencies to help ferry health workers who are now at the frontline of the country’s fight against the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
From only three (3) routes during its initial deployment, the free bus service now serves health workers on thirteen (13) routes:
Northwest Area
Revised ROUTE 1
Meralco (Malanday)*
Valenzuela City General Hospital
MCU Hospital (Monumento)*
Caloocan City Medical Center
Tondo General Hospital
Our Lady of Fatima
Metropolitan Medical Center
San Lazaro Hospital
Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center
University of Sto. Tomas Hospital
Chinese General Hospital
United Doctors Medical Center (Welcome Rotonda)*
*Pick-up/transfer points
Northwest Area
Revised ROUTE 2
Valenzuela Gateway Complex*
Quezon City General Hospital
Balintawak*
MCU Hospital (Monumento)*
Our Lady of Fatima University
Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center
Philippine Orthopedic Center
United Doctors Medical Center (Welcome Rotonda)*
*Pick-up/transfer points
Northeast Area
Revised ROUTE 3
SM City SJDM (Bulacan)
Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial (Caloocan)
SM Fairview*
Diliman Doctors Hospital
Veterans Memorial Medical Center
Lung Center of the Philippines
Philippine Heart Center
East Avenue Medical Center
Philippine Children’s Hospital
Centris Station (EDSA / Quezon Ave.)*
*Pick-up/transfer points
East Area
ROUTE 4
SM City Masinag*
Marikina Valley Medical Center
Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center
BFCT East Metro Transport Terminal*
Quirino Memorial Medical Center
Araneta Center Bus Terminal
Robinsons Galleria*
The Medical City – Ortigas
*Pick-up/transfer points
East Area
ROUTE 5
Ortigas Hospital & Healthcare (Cainta)*
SM City East Ortigas
Pasig City General Hospital
The Medical City Ortigas
Robinsons Galleria*
VRP Medical Center
St. Luke’s Medical Center*
Rizal Medical Center
*Pick-up/transfer points
Central Area
Revised ROUTE 6
Centris Station (EDSA / Quezon Ave.)*
Providence Hospital
Capitol Medical Center
Philippine Orthopedic Center (Banawe)
United Doctors Medical Center (Welcome Rotonda)*
National Children’s Hospital
De Los Santos Medical Center
St. Luke’s Medical Center (E. Rodriguez)
UERM Memorial Medical Center
MRT-3 Cubao / Araneta Center*
*Pick-up/transfer points
Central/East Area
Revised ROUTE 7
Pasig City General Hospital
Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral*
Pasig Rotonda
Rizal Medical Center
The Medical City (Ortigas)
Robinsons Galleria*
Cardinal Santos Medical Center
VRP Medical Center
National Center for Mental Health
Makati Medical Center*
*Pick-up/transfer points
Southeast Area
Revised ROUTE 8
Starmall – Alabang*
SLEX Sucat Exit*
Bicutan Exit
Makati Medical Center*
St. Luke’s Medical Center – BGC*
*Pick-up/transfer points
Southwest Area
ROUTE 9
Vista Mall, Daang Hari*
Perpetual Help Medical Center (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 Doctors Hospital
United Doctors Medical Center (Welcome Rotonda)*
*Pick-up/transfer points
Southeast Area
ROUTE 10
Feeder route
RITM*
Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Muntinlupa City Hospital
Starmall – Alabang*
*Pick-up/transfer points
Southeast Area
ROUTE 11
Starmall – Alabang*
SLEX Sucat Exit*
Bicutan Exit
San Juan de Dios EFI – Hospital
Gil Puyat Station LRT-1*
Philippine General Hospital
Manila Doctors Hospital
*Pick-up/transfer points
Southeast Area
ROUTE 12
SM Molino
Imus Transport Plaza
Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center
Baclaran Market*
San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation Hospital
Gil Puyat*
Adventist Medical Center Manila
Philippine General Hospital*
Manila Doctors Hospital*
*Pick-up/transfer points
South Area
ROUTE 13
Seaoil Imus Daang Hari/Aguinaldo
Imus Transport Terminal*
Las Piñas General Hospital
Perpetual Help Medical Center
RITM*
Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Muntinlupa Hospital
Starmall Alabang*
*Pick-up/transfer points
Buses will transport passengers to these designated routes, and vice versa at 5:00AM, 7:00AM, 1:00PM, 3:00PM, 5:00PM, and 7:00PM.
Seventy-two (72) buses and two (2) modern Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) have committed to transport health workers for free along the specified routes, which are still subject to change depending on the data and requests coming from the Department of Health (DOH).
Meanwhile, transport officials clarified that the free ride is not restricted to doctors and nurses only. This will also be made available to other hospital workers such as administration personnel, utility workers, security officers, and other health workers such as pharmacists, caregivers, and the like.
The bus service will likewise comply with DOH containment protocols such as the observance of social distancing, body temperature checks, and regular disinfecting of vehicles. Drivers and health workers will also be given food and water.
“Of all the distress this virus has caused, one of the good things it has brought forth is the indomitable bayanihan spirit of the Filipino people. Our frontline health workers have sacrificed so much, leaving the comfort of their homes to fulfill their sworn duty to save lives. And now, we have our drivers too to safely bring our warriors to the battlefield. Saludo ako sa inyong lahat!”, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade expressed.
The same bus service scheme is also being advised to be replicated for all regions in Luzon while the enhanced community quarantine is being enforced.
The free bus service is implemented in cooperation and close coordination with the Office of the President, Office of the Solicitor General, Supreme Court, House of Representative, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT), and private bus companies such as HM Transport, San Agustin, MetroExpress, RRCG, Precious Grace, Ceres, Jac Liner, St. Rose, Pamana, Jasper Jean, Pascual, Hi-Star, Ube Express, Hafti Transport, G-Liner, Thelman Transit, and automotive company Foton.
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18 March 2020
DOTr extends deadline for renewal of permits, licenses, franchises to April 2020
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade has ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to extend the deadline for the renewal of permits, licenses, and franchises to April 2020.
“LTO and LTFRB will extend the deadline for renewal of permits, franchises, licenses until April 2020. We know and understand that our country is now in a difficult and trying situation. We have to step up and extend our help to the Filipino people the best way we can,” Secretary Tugade expressed.
The move came after Secretary Tugade’s dialogue with Senate President Vicente Sotto III. In a message sent to the media today, 18 March 2020, Senator Sotto expressed his gratitude to Secretary Tugade, for agreeing to extend the renewal of licenses, franchises, and permits, until the end of April.
“Just talked to DOTr Secretary Tugade, he will issue extension of renewal of licenses for LTO and LTFRB till end of April. Thank you, Sec. Art!” Sen. Sotto shared.
Secretary Tugade has instructed LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante to reiterate and update the memorandum that the latter issued earlier this month directing LTO Regional Directors not to collect penalties for late registration of motor vehicles, and for the renewal of driver’s licenses that will expire during the enhanced community quarantine period. The validity of all student permits will also be extended.
Meanwhile, based on the guidelines issued by the LTFRB, all PUVs with plate numbers ending in 3 and 4 will be allowed to confirm their units until 15 May 2020 with all penalties being waived.
In this regard, the insurance policy under the Personal Passenger Accident Insurance Program (PPAIP) will also be automatically extended until 15 May 2020 without any additional fees on the part of the operators.
Applications for Extension of Validity for Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) that will expire from 17 March 2020 to 15 April 2020 can be filed until 15 May 2020 also with waiver of penalties.
Provisional Authorities (PA) and Special Permits (SP) issued to TNVS, PUBs, TH, Taxi, and UV Express, with expiry dates covering the period of 17 March 2020 to 15 April 2020, will also be extended until 15 June 2020 with waiver of fees.
Meanwhile, the Compliance Orders, Resolutions, and Decisions which direct operators to comply within a certain period and that fall between 17 March 2020 until 15 April 2020, will be allowed to comply until 15 May 2020 with waiver of penalties, if there is any.
The guidelines will apply to the Central Office and the National Capital Region-Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office, and all Regional Franchising and Regulatory Offices in Luzon.
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15 March 2020
DOTr releases guidelines on social distancing, community quarantine vs COVID-19 spread
PASAY CITY — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has released its guidelines on the community quarantine and social distancing measures yesterday, 14 March 2020, following the earlier order of President Rodrigo Duterte to place the National Capital Region (NCR) under community quarantine to stop the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“We all have to bear the burden, carry personal inconveniences and sacrifices for the common good and our nation’s interest. These protocols are temporary. The deeper we cooperate and unselfishly carry our share, the faster we shall overcome!” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade stressed.
During the quarantine period, the aviation sector has announced that there will be no general aviation flights within Metro Manila. As such, flights will be diverted to Sangley Airport in Cavite or to the Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
However, cargo flights; air ambulance and medical supplies; government/military flights; weather mitigation flights; and maintenance and utility flights will still be permitted.
For international flights, the aviation sector stressed that there will be special airport-to-airport trips arranged by the airlines in coordination with airport authorities.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will also encourage local airlines to operate sweeper flight/s out of Manila and into other airports.
The aviation sector will also implement the one (1) meter social distancing measure. Signages reminding its stakeholders to observe proper social distancing will also be posted in strategic points.
Moreover, the sector adds, only passengers and essential personnel can enter and exit the airport terminals. The rail sector meanwhile announced that trains will be loaded at reduced capacity to minimize the concentration of passengers per train.
Train station personnel will also regulate the entry of passengers into stations, and will implement measures for orderly and distanced queuing both inside and outside stations.
A passenger showing COVID-19 symptoms or having a body temperature of 38 degrees centigrade and above will be refused entry to the stations and trains. This is pursuant to the guidelines imposed by the Department of Health (DOH).
The women’s and senior citizens section of train cars will be further separated, designating a subsection for senior citizens. The rail sector added that PNR operations from Alabang to Calamba and vice versa will be suspended during the community quarantine period.
For the road sector, it has reminded Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), including airport taxis, to transport not more than four (4) passengers. Multiple bookings for a single trip provided by the TNVS, and the pilot implementation of Motorcycle Taxis will be temporarily suspended, it added.
As for the UV Express, the road sector stressed that it should not have more than six (6) passengers; while old units of Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) should carry not more than half of their regular capacity; and as for Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) compliant units (Class 2 and 3), they should not have more than half of the seating capacity, without standing passengers;
Public Utility Busses (PUBs), meanwhile, should not have more than 25 passengers, which includes the driver and conductor, and without any standing passenger. The guideline further states that terminal operators will not allow any person to enter their premises if that person is showing any COVID-19 symptoms.
For all PUVs entering and exiting Metro Manila, drivers and conductors will have to request passengers to present one (1) valid ID (which indicates the address of work place, and residence) to comply with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Philippine National Police (PNP) procedures and protocols at all entry/exit points.
Meanwhile, Point-to-Point (P2P) buses from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Clark International Airport and Sangley Airport will be allowed to operate as scheduled.
For the maritime sector, crew members of cargo vessels originating from COVID-19 affected ports identified under relevant IATF Resolutions will be subjected to stringent quarantine procedures and will not be allowed to disembark.
Passenger traffic in all ports going in and out of the National Capital Region (NCR) will be suspended during the period of community quarantine. However, ferry services within the NCR will continue its operations provided that it will follow the 50% reduced capacity as prescribed by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
Ships normally plying routes within the NCR will be allowed to call at ports outside of the same on application for the issuance of a Special Permit with the MARINA during the period of the community quarantine.
The maritime sector meanwhile has assured that movement of cargo to and from the NCR will be unhampered. All cargo trucks/vans going in and out of the Port of Manila shall secure a Cargo Entry/Withdrawal Permit (CEWP) from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), which shall be presented for validation at designated checkpoints.
Meanwhile, there will be a “No Sail” policy for all vessels carrying passengers calling to and from any ports of Metro Manila except foreign ships subject to CIQS procedures and domestic cargo, fishing and government vessels subject to health screening pursuant to DOH advisories and guidelines.
The maritime sector adds that posting of materials regarding the observance of the one (1) meter social distancing measure in ports, terminals and onboard vessels and water craft will be in place.
There will be an establishment of entry and exit controls in ports and other maritime areas and waters as identified by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).The DOTr also pointed out, that the policy will be subjected to daily review and revision, as necessary.
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with Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department Of Labor and Employment and Starbourn in DZMJ Online Season 25 Episode 7