(Eagle News)–The Department of Transportation has started the distribution of 150,000 masks to health workers and other essential personnel who need to report to work amid the enhanced community quarantine.
The total number of masks distributed was 50,000 more than the original number the DOTr announced.
The agency said hospitals, its frontline employees, those involved in port and airport operations, enforcers, and drivers helping in ferrying health workers under the DOTr Free Ride program will be prioritized in the distribution.
The DOTr said hospitals included in the distribution list are Medical Center Manila, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, San Lazaro Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Perpetual Help Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, The Medical City – Ortigas, and UST Hospital.
Workers of DOTr offices will also be provided with face masks, including the Road sector, DOTr Emergency Operations Center, DOTr Central Office, DOTr MRT-3, Office for Transportation Security, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine Ports Authority, and the Land Transportation Office.
Enforcers of the Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group helping in the implementation of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine will also receive free face masks.
The agency earlier said the face masks were donated by a “good samaritan.”
“In desperate times like this, there are unsung heroes, who will go the extra mile to help our kababayans,” Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said, thanking the donor.
“Ipapamahagi namin ito sa mga bayaning nagsasakripisyo para matulungan tayong makalagpas sa krisis na ito. Ito ang tulong namin sa inyo. Isa itong patunay na saludo kami sa trabaho ninyo,” he added.
