No more free rides as the “Libreng Sakay” Program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be temporarily suspended. The agencies leading this program have announced that today, June 30 (Wednesday), is the last day run of the “Libreng Sakay” Program for our healthcare workers and authorized persons outside of their residences (APOR).

In a joint statement made by DOTr and LTFRB, they said, “Ito ‘ho ay sa kadahilanang ang pondo na ginagamit pambayad sa mga tsuper at operator na kasali sa Service Contracting at Libreng Sakay Program ay nagmumula sa Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.”

The effectiveness of the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act” has reached its end date today. The funds used for the service contracting program of the “Libreng Sakay” Program are from this act.

The “Libreng Sakay” Program started last April 2021 to give Healthcare Workers and Authorized Persons Outside of their Residences (APOR) assistance during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the NCR+ Region.  They were given free rides on Public Utility Buses (PUBs) under the service contracting program. In addition to PUBs, over 50 jeepney routes of Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) under the service contracting program also offered free rides. The project was initiated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) under the direction of Secretary Arthur Tugade.

In their joint statement, they said “Makaaasa ang ating mga kababayan na gagawin ng DOTr at LTFRB ang lahat ng aming makakaya upang maipagpatuloy muli, sa lalong madaling panahon, ang programa sa pamamagitan ng paglalaan ng pondo para rito sa ilalim ng Republic Act 11518 o General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2021. Sa ngayon, pinoproseso na po ng DBM ang pagpapatupad nito.”

The agencies promised to do everything to continue and bring the “Libreng Sakay” Program back into action. They are planning to once again fund this through the Republic Act No. 11518 or General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2021.

Starting tomorrow, Public Utility Buses (PUBs) under the EDSA Carousel will be asking for payment. The transportation fee will be from P13 to P61 according to LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra.