Because health workers are at the most risk of catching the infamous virus, they need to be given privilege as to how they travel; the food they eat; as well as the vitamins they take. That being said, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) deploys buses for health workers who would be going to designated hospitals - as well as the frontliners.
The 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has curbed a great amount of what we have as people. As a matter of fact, it has taken thousands of jobs, several companies, and even livelihood of irregular and informal workers. It left millions ad millions of people wondering how they can put meat on the table - even regular workers and employees without work from home (WFH) grants.
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The DPWH deploys shuttle vehicles for health workers
To be able to show a sign of thanksgiving to medical and health workers who are risking their live to fight against the spread of the COVID-19, the DPWH deploys shuttle vehicles for health and medical workers. The vehicles - totaling 74, will help ferry medical and health workers to their designated hospitals.
These vehicles would be providing free rides/transportation for health workers who are going to designated hospitals; they are the frontliners of the current situation and without them, we wouldn't be able to mend and to cope with the outbreak.
Schedule of the vehicles
Of course, the schedule of when the vehicles would be traversing the roads is necessary. Because of a specific schedule, health workers would be forced to travel down to a specific pick up point for them to be able to get the free rides.
The schedules are as follows:
- 5:00 A.M.
- 7:00 A.M.
- 1:00 P.M.
- 3:00 P.M.
- 5:00 P.M.
- 7:00 P.M.
With the entire island of Luzon being locked down, thousands, if not millions of people went on a frenzy; some are panicking, purchasing more than what they just need. Others are calling for help on how they can raise money for the everyday food of their families.
But now, after the DPWH deploys shuttle vehicles for health workers, there wouldn't be an inch of a problem about how they'll be able to travel on a daily basis until the time the enhanced community quarantine is lifted.
Where would the shuttle vehicles pick up health workers?
In different regions and areas of Luzon, there'll be different pick-up and drop-off points designated. These are strictly followed by the vehicle drivers:
Northwest area
- Pick up workers at Meralco (Malanday area) going to Valenzuela City General Hospital (VCGH)
- Pick up at the MCU Hospital in Monumento to Caloocan City Medical and Tondo General Hospital (TGH)
- From the MCU, the DPWH advises that the shuttle vehicles will also ferry health workers going to the Our Lady of Fatima, Metropolitan Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Hospital and the Chinese General Hospital
- There will also be vehicles that would be deployed at the Valenzuela Gateway Complex going to the Quezon City General Hospital to Balintawak and MCU Hospital, to the Our Lady of Fatima University, the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, the Philippine Orthopedic Center, and the United Doctors Medical Center.
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Northeast area
- In the northeast area, there would be vehicles traversing from the SM City SJDM (Bulacan), Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez, Memorial (Caloocan), SM Fairview, Diliman Doctors Hospital, Veterans Memorial, Medical Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, the Philippine Health Center, East Avenue Medical Center, the Philippine Children's Hospital, and the Centris Station (Along EDSA).
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East area
- Along the east area, vehicles are stationed and dispatched at the Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare (Cainta), SM City East Ortigas, Pasig City General Hospital, The Medical City Ortigas, Robinsons Galleria, VRP Medical Center, St. Luke's Medical Center, and the Rizal Medical Center.
Central area
- The Central area has DPWH vehicles available along the Centris Station in EDSA, the Providence Hospital, the Capitol Medical Center, the Philippine Orthopedic Center, the United Doctors Medical Center, the National Children's Hospital, Delos Santos Medical Center, St. Luke's Medical Center, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay (uERM) Memorial Medical Center, and the MRT-3 Cubao Station at the Araneta Center.
- Combining the Central and the Eastern area; there are DPWH vehicles that run along the Pasig City General Hospital, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the Pasig Rotonda, the Rizal Medical Center, The Medical City (TMC) (in Ortigas), Robinsons Galleria, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, the VRP Medical Center, the National Center for Mental Health, and the Makati Medical Center.
Southeast area
- For workers going at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, the Muntinlupa City Hospital, and Starmall-Alabang, South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Sucat Exit, Bicutan Exit, San Juan de Dios EFI-Hospital, Gil Puyat Station LRT-1, Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and the Manila Doctors Hospital, SM Molino, Imus Transport Plaza, Las Piñas General Hospital, and the Satellite Trauma Center, the pick up point would be at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
South area
- Last but most definitely not the least would be for health workers in the South area. They can ride buses at the Baclaran Market going to the San Juan de Dios Education Foundation Hospital; along Gil Puyat to the Adventist Medical Center; at the Philippine General Hospital and the Manila Doctors Hospital, Seaoil Imus, Daang Hari/Aguinaldo, the Imus Transport Terminal, the Las Piñas General Hospital, Perpetual Help Medical Center, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, the Muntinlupa Hospital and Starmall-Alabang.
In all reality, the health workers and the workers in the medical field should be cared for and valued. Without them, all of us would have no hope in the fight against the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
Dr. Gina Nazareth, the President of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), expressed her appeal to provide immediate grant to health workers reliable personal protective equipment (PPE). Since they're the frontliners, their health should be prioritized.
In addition to frontliners, all medical workers are also appealed to have PPEs so that they can assist the multitude of people who needs help without them being endangered; while they “desperately look for solutions to prevent more deaths and stem the continuing COVID-19."
Final Verdict
You all are now aware of the routes of these 74 shuttle vehicles that are prepared for the frontliners and for the medical and health workers in the Philippines. What do you think of the actual commitment of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)? Would their act of deploying shuttle vehicles to ferry and assist medical and health workers a just and a sufficient act of assisting significant personnel in the COVID-19 battle?
Source: The Philippine Star
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