DoTr activates Undas help desks

CLARK, PAMPANGA — To keep the public safe in their annual journey to the provinces for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) has directed the intensified activation of Malasakit Help Desks (MHD) at all transport hubs throughout the country.

The directive is in line with the conduct of “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2019,” which will be ready to provide the public with assistance on their annual trek to the provinces from 25 October to 4 November.

Expecting the heavy influx of passengers, commuters and motorists to various destinations across the country during Undas, MHD shall serve as a one-stop shop for passenger assistance in airports, seaports, train stations and land terminals.

Assistance ranges from handling transport-related inquiries, complaints, and requests for assistance such as TNVS/taxi booking; facilitating refund of terminal fees; providing attestation of cause of trip cancellation or delays; delivering emergency medical assistance; to accepting reports of possible security threats.

MHD will also be distributing Malasakit Help Kits especially to pregnant women, women with children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities (PWD). These kits contain drinks and light snacks, battery-operated fans, face towels, foldable fans, wet wipes, hand sanitizer of permitted volume and ballpens, that are meant to make travel more comfortable.

DoTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade stressed the importance of heightened activation of MHD throughout the country.

“It is imperative that all our MHD are properly manned and equipped to address the varied concerns and requests for assistance by the public,” Tugade emphasized.

Meanwhile, the DoTr reminded that students from elementary until college levels, including those enrolled in technical and vocational schools, are exempt from paying terminal fees in airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), as well as seaports managed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

PPA also exempts senior citizens, PWD, and active uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard from paying terminal fees at seaports under its purview.

Medal of Valor awardees and their dependents will also have their terminal fees waived at all PPA-operated seaports and at all four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Ahead of the Oplan, Secretary Tugade thanked DoTr attached agencies that are in the front lines of malasakit service.

Participating agencies for “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2019” include the Manila International Airport Authority CAAP, Civil Aeronautics Board, MRT-3, Light Rail Transit Authority, Philippine National Railways, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Land Transportation Office, Toll Regulatory Board, PPA, Cebu Ports Authority, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, and Office for Transportation Security.