PLDT Inc. is turning over 30 of its service vehicles to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for its use in anti-COVID-19 operations.

The vehicles include 14 Toyota Innova MPVs, 10 Toyota Avanza MPVs, 4 Isuzu mini trucks, and 2 Isuzu Crosswind AUVs. Sixteen of the vehicles were delivered last week and the balance are scheduled for delivery this week.

Of the 30 vehicles, seventeen have been assigned to the AFP health services, specifically the Health Service Command, the Office of the Surgeon General and the Military Treatment Facilities of the Army, Navy and Air Force.  These units are providing health care support for troops that are deployed in checkpoints in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

The remaining 13 vehicles will be deployed to various senior offices such as the AFP Command Center, the Joint Task Force NCR, the Special Operations Command, AFP, the AFP Communications, Electronics and Information Systems Service and the AFP Civil Relations Service.

PLDT and its wireless subsidiary has been providing communications support to the AFP and the Philippine National Police for their COVID operations. Earlier, Smart donated SIMs and load cards for more than 1,000 AFP personnel deployed in Metro Manila, to provide for their connectivity needs during the enhanced community quarantine.

PLDT Enterprise has also provided 200 smartphones with free postpaid subscriptions for the use of AFP and PNP personnel manning about 60 checkpoints in Metro Manila. These smartphones will be used to access the Rapid Pass online application which is designed to facilitate movement of people through checkpoints in the National Capital Region.

“Helping the country’s frontliners in the fight against COVID-19 is a key focus of our efforts during this health emergency. This includes keeping our frontliners safe and healthy. With more and more soldiers and policemen falling ill with the virus, we hope that these service vehicles will help the AFP Medical Corp to protect our men and women in uniform,” said PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.