Angkas to give free rides, shields to Pasay frontliners

App-based ride-hailing and delivery services provider Angkas has partnered with the city government of Pasay to provide free rides and shields to the city’s healthcare frontliners.

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

In a statement, the ride-hailing firm said Rubiano received the donation from Angkas chief transport advocate George Royeca on Friday at the Pasay City hall.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa Angkas headed by George Royeca,” Rubiano said.

“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,” she said.

Pasay is the third local government unit (LGU) in Metro Manila to receive shield donations and free rides to healthcare workers from Angkas, following Manila and Pasig.

Last week, Angkas also partnered with the National Task Force against COVID, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and provided 1,000 shields and arranged for 1,000 bikers for HCWs.

”It is an honor to serve our medical frontliners in the city of Pasay which holds a strategic location in the NCR,” Royeca said.

“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,” he said.

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 at the Pasay City General Hospital and the Philippine Air Force General Hospital.

The company said this service will help make their transport easier especially as commuting has become scarcer during the MECQ.

Rubiano also sought Angkas’ 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 said. -MDM, GMA News