The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has partnered with Grab Philippines in launching an express lane for delivery riders in its offices as part of the agency's recognition in their contribution amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
"With the pandemic, we are living in a new normal and the riders provided the services we needed that is why we also consider them as frontliners," LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar C. Galvante said during the signing of a memorandum of agreement with Grab on Wednesday, Dec. 1.
According to Galvante, the "Juan Stop, Juan Go" project will give riders easy access to LTO services such as applying or renewing their driver's license or registering their vehicles, among others.
Galvante said the LTO will also provide training for riders on road safety.
The pilot implementation of the "Juan Stop, Juan Go" project will be launched on Monday, Dec. 6, at the LTO Regional Office in Cainta, Rizal.
Aside from its close proximity to Metro Manila, LTO Region 4A Director Noreen San Luis-Lutey added that bulk of the riders are based in Rizal and the regional office in Cainta is big enough to accommodate them.
"This is our way of making the life of our riders easier and our way of giving back to them for they have done to us under the new normal. Isang paraan din ito para ilapit ang serbisyo publiko sa tao (It is also a way to bring public service closer to the people)," Lutey noted.
For her part, Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz thanked the LTO for the opportunity to make its services easy and accessible to all riders.
"The role of our drivers and delivery-partners is important especially in this pandemic, and I also believe that they will play a more vital role in the recovery of our economy," Vera Cruz said in Filipino.
The launching of the express lane project came following the recent celebration of Grab's "Buwan ng Tagapaghatid" which also aims to recognize the contributions of its driver and delivery-partners amid the pandemic.
"They continue to respond to the needs of the public and we will continue to support them through programs and projects aimed at addressing their needs and helping them thrive in their livelihoods," she added.