Angkas to deploy 1,000 riders to hospitals for frontliners, donates face shields

MANILA: Angkas, the pioneer motorcycle ride-hailing platform, has collaborated with the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to provide free transportation for healthcare workers (HCWs) as well as free protective barriers for bike frontliners in the medical field.

In a press briefing earlier today, Angkas said that it will be sending 1,000 bikers to 10 hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), for its free ride service, which will be effective tomorrow until the end of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), which is August 18.

These hospitals include Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Quezon City General Hospital, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Ospital ng Maynila, National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), East Avenue Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, and Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

The Angkas riders shall stay at the abovementioned hospitals until the end of the shifts of the HCWs. According to Angkas, this is normally the time that most frontliners are exhausted and it would be more advantageous to assist them in terms of their transportation needs.

Furthermore, Angkas will be donating 1,000 IATF- approved protective shields directly to the HCWs who have their own motorbikes to assist them in going to their designated workplaces.

As mentioned previously, the Angkas shield serves as an approved protective barrier between the passenger and the rider. It has also passed the validation tests and review of Total Control, a motorcycle safety school in the US that keeps track and guarantees the safety of motorcycle transportation in the US Marines and US Army.

Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca acknowledged the efforts of nurses, doctors, and other HCWs, who requested for a two-week “timeout” the previous week to recalibrate and reevaluate their current COVID-19 approaches effectively.

Royeca also added that the Angkas projects are among "the measures providing assistance... an example of the public and private sectors working together in partnership. They are complementary to other government measures, like the NTF’s provision of dorms and hotels for the HCWs.”

Royeca explained that although the free ride service of Angkas will span the entire MECQ, the initiative is subject to flexibility depending on the needs of the commuters, given that public transportation is a primary concern at the moment.

When asked if the riders were properly oriented and trained prior to their deployment to the NCR hospitals, Royeca responded that their training is ongoing.

PNP Chief Directorial Staff and Commander of the Joint Task Force for COVID-19 Shield Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar remarked that his team is in close coordination with Angkas, specifically during emergency situations.

He added that they will be thoroughly monitoring, for instance, the transportation locations or terminals of stranded HCWs, and if there is a need for more Angkas riders, they will be communicating with Royeca regarding it.

Lt. Gen. Eleazar also highlighted that the collaboration with Angkas provides the public a preview of what the country can attain if everyone will unite to curb the spread of the virus.

He reiterated, “This endeavor will ensure that our medical frontliners can perform their tasks and not be hampered by lack of transportations on their way for work, and back home.”

NTF Vice Chairman and DILG Secretary Eduardo Año received the free shields and ride services from Angkas. He reiterated that the Angkas shields can help in improving the level of protection for riders and bikers.

Sec. Año also explained that upon reviewing the CCTV and videos along the highways of NCR, about 30% of bikers typically remove their face shields and helmets once they perspire under the hot weather, especially during traffic at the intersections. As such, even if they do so, the Angkas shield will keep them protected and will decrease the risk of viral transmission.

He also noted that the continuous cooperation of everyone in complying with minimum safety and health guidelines, particularly in transportation, is crucial in mitigating COVID-19 transmission.

Sec. Año said, “Magtulungan pa tayong lahat. Sumunod po tayo sa patakaran para (matulungan natin) ang ating mga (Let's help each other out. Let's follow rules and regulations so we can help our) HCWs.”

Photos from Angkas

Also read: Gov't approves Angkas passenger shield for moto back riders