Several cities and towns are gearing up efforts as they offers transportation assistance or “Libreng Sakay” program to assist commuters facing difficulty reaching their workplaces due to lack of public transportation during the general community quarantine.
The local government of Quezon City itself announced on Tuesday it would offer two new routes, serviced by 14 buses to its Libreng Sakay program to assist commuters.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto also launched an app that would help commuters in Pasig City find the location of “Libreng Sakay” bus.
Valenzuela City has also deployed trucks to provide free public rides on June 1 despite the relaxed quarantine protocols.
Rodriguez Rizal Mayor Dennis Hernandez also announced they would offer the “Libreng Sakay” program in their town where it has four defined routes, San Isidro to Litex, San Rafael to Litex Jollibee, Burgos to Litex Market, and Montalban to Marikina, each with designated drop-off and pick-up points and schedules for the passengers.
Rodriguez said the general public and local residents could avail themselves of the Libreng Sakay rides every Monday to Saturday starting from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. along different routes in the city.
Hernandez reminded the passengers to always abide with the guidelines such as wearing face mask and observing social distancing to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
The GCQ in effect in Metro Manila has limited the volume of public utility vehicles that may ply routes. This has severely affected the mobility of workers.
Under the GCQ, passenger buses and jeepneys were not allowed to operate.
Only trains and bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicle services, shuttle services, point-to-point buses and bicycles have been allowed from 1 to 21 June.
In the second phase of the GCQ from 22 to 30 June, the government is set to allow public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles or jeepneys and UV Express vehicles.
