Vice President Leni Robredo has found partners from the private sector in providing free ferry service for health workers and other frontliners in Cebu City.

Robredo announced her office has been receiving requests from Cebuanos for ferry boats that will transport them from Olango Island to Lapu-Lapu City.

“Sinabi ko sa team mag-courtesy call kay (Lapu-Lapu City) Mayor (Junard) Chan ngayong araw para hingiin ang (I told the team to make a courtesy call to Mayor Chan today to ask for) authorization to do that,” she said in an interview over Teleradyo Cebu.

Once the local city government approves the ferry service, Robredo said they could start the ferry operations as early as on Wednesday, July 8.

A four-person team from Robredo’s office is now in Cebu City to help in government efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has provided free shuttle service and dormitories for frontliners, while public transportation remains suspended under the enhanced community quarantine in Cebu City.

Robredo said two more dormitories will be open in the cities of Talisay and Mandaue starting on Wednesday.

The second dorm is near Chong Hua Hospital (Mandaue), University of Cebu Medical Center, and Dr. Ignacio M. Cortes Genereal Hospital, while the other facility is near the Talisay District Hospital.

“We are looking for a dorm in Fuente Osmeña because we have many frontliners here. Hopefully, before the end of the week we will be able to finalize it,” she said.

The vice president highlighted the importance of collaboration with private groups and individuals to address the public health crisis.

“What we are really harnessing here is the power of collaboration. And we have seen it in Cebu. When we called for partners and help, we got instant response from the people, so we are thankful to them,” she said.