Angkas teams up with Mayor Rubiano to beef up Pasay City's anti-pandemic efforts

MANILA: Pioneering motorcycle taxi ride-hailing service Angkas collaborated with Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano to provide free rides and free protective shields for healthcare workers (HCWs) of the city, specifically during the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

Aside from the free shields and rides, Angkas will also train and deploy its bikers as contact tracers, upon the request of Mayor Rubiano. Such a new task is said to complement the efforts of Pasay City in reducing COVID-19 transmission.

Mayor Rubiano accepted the donation from Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca last August 14 at the Pasay City Hall. Present during the turnover ceremony were OIC for Traffic and parking Arturo Fortaleza, OIC for Tricycle and Pedicab Licensing Ace Sevilla, and Pasay City Administrator Atty. Dennis Acorda.

During the handing over of face shields, Mayor Rubiano said, “Nagpapasalamat kami sa Angkas headed by George Royeca. 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 (We are thankful for Angkas headed by George Royeca. This will really help, especially our frontliners, who are providing services to our Pasay residents. Of course, transportation has been challenging during this time, and this is one of the solutions for employees to be able to go their workplaces and provide the appropriate service to our citizens).”

Royeca responded that it is the company's honor to offer its services to the medical frontliners of strategically located Pasay City. According to him, most of the HCWs in Pasay City are working in hospitals that are near the airports and bus terminals, which numerous Filipinos use to travel to other places in Metro Manila and even outside the country.

Royeca added that Angkas riders will make it more convenient for them to go to their workplaces and provide an added level of protection for HCWs who own and use their bikes for transportation.

Angkas will also be working closely with the local government unit in the deployment of bikers who will ferry medical frontliners to the Philippine Air Force General Hospital and the Pasay City General Hospital.

Pasay City has been actively enforcing strict safety and health protocols to contain the spread of COVID-19 at the barangay level. As of this month, over 40 of its 210 barangays have been confirmed COVID-19 free.

Pasay City is the third among the Angkas series of collaborations with LGUs and national agencies. The motorcycle taxi-hailing platform also has similar partnerships with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno in its initiatives for HCWs.

Photos from Angkas

Also read: Angkas donates moto shields, provides free rides for Pasig healthcare workers