The Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported that the Philippine Coast Guard has rescued and assisted more than 8,000 people across six provinces, even as transport services in storm-hit areas stayed functional. Field personnel have remained deployed throughout the southwest monsoon (habagat) and tropical cyclones ‘Luis’ and ‘Maymay.’
Coast Guard teams were sent to Romblon, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Pampanga for rescue and relief operations. The agency also ran free rides, or Libreng Sakay, for stranded passengers in Cavite and Batangas.
Along the Edsa Busway, personnel from the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) were posted around the clock to assist passengers and keep the corridor running.
Field personnel from SAICT, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the PCG were also tasked to monitor road and terminal conditions, assist stranded commuters, and support relief and rescue efforts.
‘Muling ipinakita ng ating mga personnel mula sa SAICT, LTO, LTFRB, PCG at iba pang DOTr frontliners, kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng paglilingkod ng higit pa sa tawag ng tungkulin,’ Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said. ‘Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanilang tapat na dedikasyon at patuloy na paglilingkod para sa kapakanan ng ating mga komyuter.’
Free rides were likewise mounted by the Office of the President (OP), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the LTFRB and the LTO.
The DOTr said it will continue monitoring weather conditions and coordinating with concerned agencies to safeguard both commuters and personnel.