Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has recommended coordination with hotels in Muntinlupa City to boost isolation measures as part of his commitment to help improve the response efforts of the local government against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This was the suggestion of Tugade during the recent visit of the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemics (CODE) Team in the city to discuss with local officials how to improve and implement key measures and strategies to address the COVID-19 situation at the community level.

Last month, cabinet secretaries were assigned to act as “big brothers” to local officials, who were tasked to pursue the government’s National Action Plan against COVID-19 in high-risk areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Tugade was assigned to Muntinlupa.

During the dialogue with Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Tugade lauded the city's existing response efforts such as its systematic processes, facilities, and efficient people and leaders, as essential factors in combating the dreaded disease. 

He added that the Muntinlupa LGU has effective local initiatives for testing, contact tracing and treatment, which include the establishment of molecular laboratory, crematorium facilities, and isolation facilities.

To intensify these initiatives, the transportation chief has committed to help boost the isolation measures being enforced by the city through tapping the resources of hotels, pension houses, and resort houses to accommodate patients who need isolation.

According to Tugade, an additional isolation facility will also be built within the city through the help of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar. 

Meanwhile, through the CODE Team composed of Tugade, National Task Force Deputy Chief Implementer Vivencio Dizon, and officials from the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), other necessary efforts to combat the virus in the city are being amplified

These include the fast-tracking of Muntinlupa's molecular laboratory accreditation, providing the additional PCR machine in the molecular laboratory in Ospital ng Muntinlupa, and following-up of additional five ambulances from the Health Department.

Tugade facilitated last month the donation by  Foton Motors PH of a fully-equipped ambulance to the Muntinlupa LGU.

Apart from this, several jeepney and UV Express routes in Muntinlupa have also been approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the residents of the city.