Suzuki, DOTr partner for free rides for COVID-19 frontliners

MANILA: Since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has been extended until April 30, medical frontliners and health personnel continue to experience difficulties in commuting to and from their workplaces daily to handle COVID-19 patients — not tom mention their regular hospital duties.

Suzuki Philippines, Inc. (SPH) has reached out to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for participation in its Free Bus Ride for Medical Workers Program. SPH has found this as an opportunity to deploy brand-new Carry Utility Van (UV) units for ferrying frontliners to various locations. This is to help them have a convenient and safe daily commute to their workplaces.

Starting last April 15, SPH loaned 10 commercial vehicles to the DOTr — nine of which are Carry UVs for medical frontliners, and one will be exclusive for delivery and logistics use. The pick-up and drop-off locations cover an extensive area in Metro Manila to transport health care workers from various communities.

One Suzuki vehicle can accommodate seven passengers, including the driver. This is in strict compliance with the social distancing measure enforced by the government during the ECQ. Suzuki Philippines has chosen the all-new Carry UV as the ideal and reliable vehicle during this period that requires efficient mobility for frontliners.

The Suzuki Carry UVs will cover eight routes, namely: SM City San Jose Del Monte to Commonwealth Avenue and SM Fairview, SM City San Mateo to Robinsons Galleria, SM City Taytay to De Los Santos Medical Center and St. Luke’s Medical Center in E. Rodriguez Avenue, Centris Station in EDSA, Quezon Avenue to Cubao-Araneta Center MRT 3 Station, Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare Center to Rizal Medical Center, SM City Masinag to The Medical City in Ortigas, and SM City San Jose Del Monte to Centris Station (EDSA, Quezon Avenue).

According to the president of Suzuki Philippines, Inc., Akira Utsumi, the company understands the influence that Suzuki can make in the automotive industry, especially in the current global crisis. He also added that Suzuki is willing to offer assistance to medical frontliners for their dedication to serving the Filipinos during these trying times. Both DOTr and Suzuki Philippines are grateful with one another because of this initiative to provide free transportation to the frontliners.

Photos from the DOTr Facebook page

Also read: DOTr now provides free bus rides for medical frontliners nationwide