By Ariel Fernandez The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) ramped up its food relief efforts to extend assistance to barangays covered by its network of expressways. Many of these communities have been adversely affected by the ongoing enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. Food donations, which include sacks of rice, boxes of canned goods, and packs of noodles, were recently delivered to some 220 barangays within the MPTC expressway network -- NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, and CALAX -- covered by Quezon City, Caloocan City, Malabon City, Navotas City, Valenzuela City, Paranaque City, Pasay City, and Las Pinas City in Metro Manila, and several LGUs in Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan, Cavite, and Laguna. MPTC president Rodrigo Franco said, “With these urgent donations, MPTC hopes to support ongoing LGU relief efforts and somewhat ease the worries of families in these barangays, especially those who reside within the immediate vicinity of our network of expressways.” Protocols and measures such as social distancing were strictly followed by the MPTC volunteers during the handover of the relief goods to the local officials. Despite operational challenges, NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, and CALAX, have remained open to support the IATF’s call for the unhampered movement of essential goods and efficient commuting of medical frontliners. MPTC has also announced toll-free travel in NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX. and CALAX for medical frontliners in recognition of their dedication and commitment to provide essential services as the country fights COVID-19. “We hope that through these programs, we are able to help and give back to our heroes fighting the COVID-19,” Franco said. The tollway arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, MPTC has always been on the forefront of corporate social responsibility activities, going the extra mile to reach out and give back to the local communities.