ANGKAS PARTNERS WITH PASAY MAYOR TO PROVIDE CITY to HEALTH CARE WORKERS WITH FREE RIDES, SHIELDS

• Bikers to be trained, deployed as contact tracers

It’s Pasay City’s turn to get free rides and protective shields from Angkas, as the pioneering motorcycle taxi ride hailing service partners this time with Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano to provide transportation support to the city’s healthcare workers (HCWs)  during the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).  

On top of the free rides and shields and upon the request of Mayor Rubiano, Angkas will also deploy its bikers as contact tracers, beefing up the city’s COVID-19 efforts. 

Mayor Rubiano received the donation from Angkas Chief Transport Advocate, George Royeca this afternoon at the Pasay City hall. Also present at the turnover ceremony were Pasay City Administrator Atty. Dennis Acorda; OIC for Tricycle and Pedicab Licensing Ace Sevilla; and OIC for Traffic & Parking Arturo Fortaleza.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa Angkas headed by George Royeca,” Mayor Rubiano said during the turnover. “Talagang napakalaking tulong po nito lalo na sa aming frontliners na nagseserbisyo para sa minamahal nating taga-Pasay. Syempre nahirapan tayo sa transportation at isa itong sagot para makapasok ang mga empleyado at maibigay nila ang tamang paglilingkod sa ating mga mamamayan. 

Royeca enthused: “”It is an honor to serve our medical frontliners in the city of Pasay which holds a strategic location in the NCR. These HCWs work in hospitals which are near the bus terminals and airports which many Filipinos use to journey to other places in the capital, if not the country. Angkas bikers will be making it easier for them to go to work, while our shields will add an extra level of protection for HCWs who own and use their own bikes.”

The Pasay City LGU has been active in implementing measures that can contain the coronavirus spread, such as systematic testing and the strict implementation of minimum health protocols on the barangay levels. As of August, more than 40 of its 210 barangays have been declared COVID-free.

Mayor Rubiano also sought Royeca’s help to deploy bikers to beef up the city’s contact tracers. 

“To help in our country’s efforts with contact tracing, certain Angkas bikers will also be trained and deployed to help in this aspect,” Royeca adds.

Angkas will be working closely with the Pasay City government in the assignment of bikers who will provide free rides to medical frontliners specifically those who work in Pasay City General Hospital and the Philippine Air Force General Hospital. This service will help make their transport easier especially as commuting has become scarcer during the MECQ.

Angkas’ partnership with Pasay City for health care workers is the latest in its series of partnerships with national agencies and local government units. Angkas has also established similar ties with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, providing their HCWs with free rides and shields.

Last week, Angkas launched its collaboration with the National Task Force against COVID, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). They provided 1000 shields and arranged for 1000 bikers for medical frontliners.Royeca again emphasized Angkas’ commitment to safety, and this time, for the frontliners who have been serving their countrymen during the pandemic.  “Nagagalak kaming makipag-partner sa ating mga LGU at mga kababayan. Ito ay para sa kapakapanan ng ating mga HCW who risk their safety upang maging ligtas tayo.”