DOTr to use 2GO vessels as quarantine facilities for OFWs

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will use two 2GO Group Inc. passenger vessels as quarantine facilities for returning overseas Filipino workers and seafarers.

The 2GO Group, Inc. (2GO) has waived the operational fee for these two ships, amounting to PHP260 million, as a donation to the government's COVID-19 response.

2GO chairman Dennis Uy instructed the company to waive the payment from the DOTr and stated he would cover the operational costs personally if necessary.

This waiver came after the DOTr initially announced a payment of PHP35 million to 2GO for the use of the vessels.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade confirmed the initial payment offer, noting it was a reduced rate from the original rental fee of over P120 million per vessel for two months.

The larger vessel can accommodate 270 individuals with social distancing, while the smaller one has a capacity of 135, and both are docked at the Port Area in Manila.