By Betheena Unite After waiving toll fees for healthcare frontliners in the country, the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) recently delivered food donations to about 220 villages within its expressway network to “ease the worries of families.” (Photo courtesy of sltc.com.ph / MANILA BULLETIN) Sacks of rice, boxes of canned goods, and packs of noodles were distributed to barangays within the MPTC expressway network—NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX and CALAX—which are in areas under Quezon City, Caloocan City, Malabon City, Navotas City, Valenzuela City, Paranaque City, Pasay City, and Las Piñas City in Metro Manila, as well as several LGUs in Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan, Cavite, and Laguna. “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,” MPTC president Rodrigo Franco said in a statement. Protocols and measures, including social distancing, were strictly followed by the volunteers during the handover of the relief goods to the local officials. Franco said that “despite operational challenges, the four expressways have remained open to support the interagency task force’s call for the unhampered movement of essential goods and efficient commuting of medical frontliners.” “We hope that, through these programs, we are able to help and give back to our heroes fighting COVID-19,” Franco added. Earlier, the tollways corporation initiated toll-free travel along NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, and CALAX for medical frontliners in recognition of their dedication and commitment to provide essential services as the country combats COVID-19.