‘Libreng Sakay’ program in Cebu City launched

Local

TO ease the burden of daily transportation expenses, the national government officially launched its “Libreng Sakay” program in Cebu City, marking the start of the initiative’s pilot implementation in the Visayas.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon led the launch on Wednesday, July 23, where he announced the start of free rides along one of the busiest urban public transport routes in Metro Cebu.

Dizon said they are launching it to the “01K” route, which runs from Parkmall to Urgello and back. He said the program will operate during peak hours, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the morning, and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the evening.

The secretary revealed that it will remain operational even on weekends and holidays.

Dizon said the route was chosen because it primarily serves university students and employees working in major establishments within the city, making it one of the busiest and most essential transport lines in Cebu.

He clarified, however, that the service is open to all members of the commuting public, not just students or employees.

“Tulong ito ng ating president to the people of Cebu and we will just keep on expanding this as much as we can,” Dizon said.

Under the program, the government is providing financial support to participating operators.

A total of 115 modern jeepney units are being mobilized along the 01K route, with the DOTr allocating P350,000 daily to cover operational expenses.

The department has earmarked between P150 million and P160 million per year for this route alone.

For now, he said, there is no target end date for the Libreng Sakay program in Cebu.

Dizon said the initiative was conceptualized under the directive of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who wants to implement more people-centered programs to support Filipino commuters.

Following this, Dizon said he has instructed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to study other proposed routes in Cebu that are heavily used by daily commuters.

“Kanina I was just talking to the passengers and they were telling me that ‘yong Talisay to IT Park and back ay maimportanteng rota din yon,” Dizon added, referring to feedback from commuters who hope to see the program expanded to more routes.

He explained that Cebu City was selected as the first pilot site in the Visayas because of its status as a "major city."

Dizon announced that the Libreng Sakay program will also be implemented in Davao City in Mindanao, expanding its reach beyond Luzon and the Visayas.

The Libreng Sakay program has already been in effect in Metro Manila, where it was deployed in response to flooding that stranded thousands of commuters across the capital.(MyTVCebu)

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