By Alexandria San Juan
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to distribute 100,000 face masks donated by a "Good Samaritan" for hospitals and front line workers amid the month-long enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the face masks were donated to him last week and will be distributed to hospitals, health workers, and other front line employees, including those in port and airport operations, enforcers, drivers, and those involved in the Department's free ride service.
Tugade added that the bulk of the face masks would be donated to health workers assigned to public hospitals including 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 are 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," he said.
"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 front line 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," the DOTr chief added.
To help health workers with their commuting needs amid the enforcement of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, the DOTr has been deploying buses in coordination with several government agencies and private companies since last week.
At least 72 buses and two modern public utility vehicles were deployed to transport front liners to hospitals while observing the containment protocols set by health authorities 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 5 a.m., 7 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.