The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has directed intensified activation of Malasakit Help Desks (MHDs) at all transport hubs throughout the Philippines in preparation for the public’s annual journey to the provinces for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The directive is in line with the conduct of “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2019,” which will be ready to provide the public with assistance from October 25, 2019 to November 4, 2019.
Expecting the heavy influx of passengers, commuters and motorists to various destinations across the country during the period, MHDs will serve as a one-stop shop for passenger assistance at airports, seaports, train stations, and land terminals.
Assistance to be offered include 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 delay; delivering emergency medical assistance; and accepting reports of possible security threats, among others.
MHDs will also be distributing Malasakit Help Kits, especially to pregnant women, women with children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). These kits contain drinks and light snacks, battery-operated fans, face towels, foldable fans, wet wipes, hand sanitizers of permitted volume, ball pens and other travel essentials that are meant to make traveling more comfortable.
Meanwhile, DOTr reminds students from elementary through college levels, including those enrolled in technical and vocational schools, that they are exempted from paying terminal fees at 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, PWDs, and active uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) 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 (NAIA).
Participating agencies for Oplan Biyaheng Ayos 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 Port Authority, Maritime Industry Authority, PCG, and Office for Transportation Security.
