MOTC Readies for ‘New Normal’, Installs Hand Washing Stations

​Media Release:

COTABATO CITY — THE the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM-MOTC) has installed strategic hand washing stations at the entrance of the BARMM Center.

The installation on May 14 is came as the nation prepares for the “new normal” after the easing of quarantine and lockdown protocols which were put in place to prevent the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

In a meeting of the BARMM Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Council last Monday, MOTC Minister Dickson P. Hermoso announced that “manufactured hand washing stations will be installed strategically in all airports, seaports, bus and PUV (public utility vehicles) terminals within BARMM provinces and cities.”

“This project is in partnership with Metro Cotabato Water District (MCWD) which will supply ample water to each hand washing station in the city and MOTC will provide the detergents needed,” Minister Hermoso added.

MCWD General Manager Margarita F. Roales is in full support of this endeavor for it will benefit the people of Cotabato City and the Bangsamoro region as well.

Health authorities abroad and in the country have been emphasizing the need to wash hands on a regular basis, thus hand washing stations should be installed in public places.

“The establishment of the hand washing stations is a good idea as we enter the new normal after the Covid-19 pandemic,” BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag  (Al-Hajj Murad) Ebrahim said.

To demonstrate the importance of the hand washing stations, first to use it inside the BARMM Center were Hermoso, MOTC Deputy Minister Von Al-Haq and BARMM Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Head Akmad Brahim and MOTC staff.

“This project is inexpensive and of great importance for all of us as we enter the new normal. We look forward that transport and communication groups will emulate the same” Al Haq emhasized.

Similar hand washing stations will be installed at the gate of MCWD, bus and PUJ (public utility jeep) terminals, Polloc Port, sub-port in Lamitan City, Basilan, passenger terminals in the islands of Jolo airport and seaport,  sub-port of Siasi, Luuk, all of Sulu province, Bongao airport and seaport, Chinese pier, sub-ports in Simunul, Sitangkay, Mapun and Taganak all in Tawi-Tawi province.

Installation of the project on the island provinces of BARMM will be in close coordination with the Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA) Head Garib Abas, BARMM Land Transportation Office (LTO) Head Yusop Awa and Brahim.

“All drivers and passengers that will enter BARMM Center should stop at the hand washing stations to observe proper hygiene,” Brahim said.

Expectedly, passengers and drivers alike will be required to wash their hands before boarding a vehicle, once public transport will resume their operation. (BARMM-MOTC)