Medical frontliners and government employees alike may avail of the Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS) for free for the duration of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
In a statement on Tuesday, the MMDA said that while the PRFS will be closed to the public due to the suspension of public transport, it will remain open and will provide free transportation front-liners and other authorized persons outside of residence (APORs) in the health and government sectors.
“Starting Tuesday, August 4, the operations of the PRFS will only be limited to health care front-liners and government employees in support of their need for transportation,” the MMDA said.
Currently, it said the free rides are available at the Pinagbuhatan, San Joaquin, Guadalupe, Valenzuela, Lawton, and Escolta ferry stations.
“The ferry boat trip routes are as follows: Pinagbuhatan to Guadalupe, Guadalupe to Escolta and vice versa, and Guadalupe to San Joaquin and vice versa,” the MMDA said.
To avail of the service, it said those interested will be required to present a valid identification card during its operating hours from Monday to Saturday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
As precautionary measures against further infections of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), it said passengers will be required to wear a mask before entry, observation of physical distancing, and limiting the passenger capacity of each boat to only 50 percent of its maximum capacity.
Furthermore, it said those with colds, cough, or body temperature higher than 37.5° C will not be allowed to enter, in addition to persons aged below 21 years or those above 59 years old.
“Upon entering the ferry station, health care front-liner and government employees will be required to undergo temperature check. They must also fill out the manifest form and accomplish the commuter information sheet,” the MMDA said.
Aside from the PRFS, medical front-liners may avail of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) ‘free rides for health workers’ program.
Currently, the DOTr said the program is available across 20 routes in the National Capital Region and Greater Manila Area and plied by about 150 buses daily — more information is available at https://covid19.sakay.ph/. (PNA)