Sailors and marines have started navigating the country's busiest roads as the Philippine Navy (PN) announced on Sunday that it has deployed personnel and vehicles to transport health care workers in areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
Lieutenant Commander Maria Christina Roxas, acting director of the Naval Public Affairs Office, said 300 personnel and several Navy buses and KM250 trucks were dispatched to help in the "Libreng Sakay" program of the military's Joint Task Force National Capital Region (JTF-NCR).
The free shuttles are plying the route Commonwealth to Welcome Rotunda in Quezon City, and Pasay City to Monumento in Caloocan City every day.
Navy personnel were also manning various quarantine stations in Marikina City, Susana Heights in Muntinlupa City, and in the boundary of Las Piñas and Cavite in Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX).
"The Navy's efforts against COVID-19 such as regular patrol of all sea entry points, and
deployment of troops to man airports, swabbing facilities, and other quarantine stations will continue as long as Metro Manila is placed under community quarantine," Roxas said.
"This demonstrates the PN’s utmost commitment in providing assistance to the Filipino people who adversely affected the pandemic," she added.
President Duterte has placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna were placed under MECQ from August 4 to 18 due to the continuous surge of infections in these areas.
Under MECQ, transportation is limited to prevent the spread of the virus.