The transportation shutdown that started on March 16 affected PGH employees, stranding many in PGH or in their homes. To prevent contagion within the hospital and ensure that health workers could reach the frontlines well-rested and protected, PGH deployed a range of transportation options.

By March 20, PGH started its Beep modern jeepney services with five routes servicing all shifting hours (8 trips daily), growing to 8 routes reaching up to Sta. Maria, Bulacan and Dasmarinas and Paliparan in Cavite.

Some bus lines of the Department of Transportation were added or modified in coordination with PGH. The local government of Cavite operated one bus line along Aguinaldo Highway while the Rotary Club of Makati West facilitated the donation and 24/7 operation of PGH ‘Route 9’ by Francisco Motors Corporation. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources provided occasional long-distance trips for employees from Batangas while GMA News and Public Affairs lent two modern jeeps targeting three major shift-changing days. The administration is now shifting some routes to use dedicated vans, buses, drivers, and fuel sourced from the generosity of the DOTr, Durabuilt Motors Inc., Francisco Motors, and individual sponsors.

For destination and schedule flexibility, PGH augmented its ambulance and engineering transports with four Toyota vehicles lent and fueled by Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. Coordinators from various hospital units and the free accommodations use an online 000request system to arrange flexibly with the volunteer drivers.

Like the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, COVID-19 has spotlighted the value of cycling. The PGH Bike Program created on March 26 aimed to decongest shared modes of transport and ease access to free accommodations around PGH. An express lane to some bikes is open for low-income workers. The Program has tuned and lent 156 bicycles, and will surpass 200 by April 30*. Electric Kick Scooters Philippines lent 9 scooters that were considered a strategic choice given the hospital’s 10-hectare land area.

*Thank YOU to the donors and our partners including Life Cycles PH, Lend a Bike Project, UP Bike Share, Dr. Tony Dans, the PGH Chaplaincy (Society of Jesus), Dr. Geoff Manzon, and donors of individual bikes.

Dr. Jose Rafael A. Marfori  |  Published in Healthscape Special COVID-19 Issue No. 3