2GO chairman waives P35 million rent for quarantine ship amid criticism

  DUBAI – The rental fees for two 2GO ships that have been converted into a quarantine facility in Manila has been waived, said Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary for Communications and Commuter Affairs Goddes Hope Libiran. Libiran revealed that the rental fee was initially set at P120 million (Dh8.7 million) but that a negotiating panel brought the fee down to P35 million before it was recently waived by 2Go Group Inc. Chairman Dennis Uy. Uy's public announcement on waiving the rental fee came after he received criticism on social media about what many described as a “shady” business arrangement. Libiran defended Uy in her post on Wednesday evening, saying that the businessman was “unfairly dragged by media and was at the receiving end of negative commentaries, when he was never part of the discussion, and was not even mentioned by Secretary Tugade in his interview”. Libiran also emphasized that DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade was “transparent” in the lease agreement through online public forum Laging Handa. She said that the initial agreement took into consideration the two-month use of the vessels and operating expenditures for fuel, electricity, water, maintenance, supplies, and salaries for the crew. “Secretary Tugade mentioned that if it was the best offer under the circumstances, he is amenable to it, but it will be without prejudice to further concessions he will attempt to seek from ownership. Until then and up to now, no payment was made,” Libiran said. “This should also clarify that at no time did Secretary Tugade meet, talk, and discuss this matter directly with 2Go Chairman Dennis Uy, as negotiations were made through the proper channels,” she added. The official thanks Uy and 2GO “for their generosity and upholding their social responsibility”. Last week, 2GO became the subject of scrutiny after a Dubai-based OFW showed live video footage of “deplorable” conditions inside the quarantine ship. Edelle Deci had arrived in Manila on April 16 and was transported to the ship for a mandatory 14-day quarantine. In her now deleted video, Deci described the facility as “unfit for quarantine”, describing unkempt mattresses, and saying that there were traces of dirt in some areas. “I don’t think this is how a quarantine facility should be. We are going to get sick here,” she said in Filipino. The DOTr has apologised following the viral video and promised “necessary remedial action”. The P180 daily fee for meals served at the ship was also waived. ICA/Expat Media https://www.expatmedia.net/uae-ofws-returning-philippines-undergo-14-day-quarantine-owwa-provide-free-hotel-stay-ofws/2020/04/ https://www.expatmedia.net/filipino-expat-dubai-calls-unhygienic-quarantine-facility-manila-department-transport-apologises/2020/04/ https://www.expatmedia.net/dubai-ofw-hopes-manila-quarantine-experience-will-help-filipinos/2020/04/
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