Ride hailing app Angkas has teamed up with the local government of Pasay City provide transportation support to the city’s healthcare workers (HCWs)  during the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) as well as deploying its bikers as contract tracers. 

Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano  Rubiano received the donation from Angkas Chief Transport Advocate, George Royeca this afternoon at the Pasay City hall.

”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,” Royeca said. 

“ 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 added.

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 added.

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.