Trike, pedicab drivers in Pasay to get free face shields, masks

COVID-19 RESPONSE. Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano (center) receives food packs and protective equipment from the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay 76 at the Pasay City Hall Saturday (Aug. 15, 2020). Also in photo are SK chairman Nohwie John Corpuz (left) and SK Federation chairman Councilor Miguel Mañez (right). (Photo grabbed from the Pasay PIO page via PNA)

MANILA – About 3,000 tricycle and pedicab drivers in Pasay City will receive food packs, face shields and face masks from the local government.

Pasay City’s Sangguniang Kabataan from Barangay 76 on Saturday handed over some 3,000 food packs, 3,000 face shields, and 15,000 face masks to the local government as part of its initiative to prevent local transmission of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the barangay level.

“Our contribution aims to help those in the transport sector cope up with the pandemic as well as prevent the spread of Covid-19,” said Nohwie John Corpuz, Barangay 76 SK chairman.

Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano has instructed the Pasay’s Tricycle-Pedicab Franchising and Regulatory Office to immediately distribute the donated items to the tricycle and pedicab drivers working within the city.

On the other hand, Rubiano said motorcycle ride-hailing company Angkas has also partnered with the Pasay local government to provide free rides and motorcycle barrier shields to healthcare workers and other medical front-liners in the city.

Upon Rubiano’s request, Angkas said on top of the free rides and shields, it will also deploy its bikers to work with the local government as contact tracers, in a bid to help the city boost its health crisis response.

Rubiano said the positive feedback of the company will help the local government address the spike of cases in the city.

“The move will help boost the city’s effort in helping bring down the number of Covid-19 cases,” she said.

Meanwhile, Rubiano reiterated that the city government has required all passengers riding public transportation to wear face shields, apart from face masks.

The local government has earlier issued a memorandum to all tricycle operators and drivers in Pasay City to strictly implement a “no face shield, no ride” policy.