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EVAP, Binalot roll into high gear to help COVID-19 front liners get through it with free food and shuttle

By Randy
.
April 6, 2020

The past few weeks of 2020 have been tough for the world, including the Philippines. This, of course, is due to the onslaught of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 or COVID-19, which has severely impacted many Filipinos’ lives.

As expected, the country is hot on the heels of fighting the further spreading of the virus, and this is largely made possible with the help of the front liners, those brave people who put their lives on the line to contain the virus and treat the infected. These front liners include doctors, nurses, health workers, military and law enforcement officers, fire fighters, utility drivers, waste disposal personnel, among others.

Without the front liners, the country would be in utter chaos. They may be a big help, but who helps them to help us? Enter such entities as the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) and Binalot, a popular chain specializing in Pinoy rice meals wrapped in banana leaves and brown paper.

Seeking the assistance of the Department of Transportation or DOTr, these two companies recently went on a mission down south of Luzon to brighten the day of many front liners with free food and drinks to help them get through it all with a smile. For its part, the DOTr organized drivers and conductors, police escorts, military escorts, LTO, LTFRB and I-ACT personnel to provide free shuttles for front liners, primarily healthcare workers for them to get to their proper destinations.

It also made several transport schemes catering to medical front liners during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine or ECQ in Luzon. The schemes covered Metro Manila and suburbs, extending to and from destinations such as Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan.

Many private transport companies such as Mitsubishi dealership Diamond Motors, Isuzu dealership Inteco, Hino Motors, Pilipinas Autogroup, and Gazelle Motors have provided PUVs (Public Utility Vehicles) for use for free for this purpose. The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines has lauded the DOTr initiative and has partnered with local Filipino fastfood chain Binalot to provide free meals for the 200-strong personnel from different organizations that support this DOTr initiative. It has pledged almost 3,000 meal packages for this DOTr project.

EVAP President Edmund Araga says that EVAP recognizes the bravery and dedication of these men and women who are willing to risk their lives due to the possible exposure to COVID-19 just to perform their duty of transporting healthcare workers to and from the hospitals.

Meanwhile, Binalot President Rommel Juan said, “We are happy that entities such as EVAP have stepped up to provide meals for our transport front liners. We hope that other private entities will follow suit and also support the DOTr and the government in general for us to beat this pandemic".

In full swing since the start of the ECQ

In related news, Binalot has been at it, donating free food to hospitals and front liners since the start of the ECQ last March 17. Judee Morente, Binalot Operations Manager was quoted as saying, “For these modern-day heroes, Binalot can do no less.”

You, too, can take part in this noble endeavor. You may donate to the front liners just by reaching out to Vida Malapajo at 09328761352.

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About the Author

Randolph de Leon
Randy is a person with disability (PWD), a partially-blinded person with only his left eye functioning. Since childhood, the automobile has always been his passion, and is able to express it through photography and most recently, through writing as well. Outside the motoring beat, Randy spends time manning the media aspect of his business which he co-founded with his sister/college classmate. It's called Dragonlight Wellness and Solutions, a multi-business venture centering on improving peoples' lives through earning.