DOTr deploys Libreng Sakay buses on March 19—here are the routes
Buses are ready to offer the public free rides on select routes in Metro Manila until 8 p.m. today, March 19, to mitigate the effects of the scheduled transport strike.
The Libreng Sakay program is jointly coordinated by the Office of the President, Department of Transportation, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police. It began at 7 a.m.
Buses will be plying the following routes:
- Quiapo to Welcome Rotonda
- Welcome Rotonda to Cubao
- Nagtahan to Cubao
- Taft-UN Avenue to PITX
- Lawton to PITX
According to the DOTr announcement on Facebook, the deployment of Libreng Sakay buses is in response to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s directive.
"Ito'y bilang tugon sa utos ng Pangulo na tiyaking may masasakyan ang mga pasahero sa gitna ng ikinakasang tigil-pasada ngayong araw," the agency said in a statement.
Piston announced, through a press conference on March 16, that it would be holding the Thursday strike to condemn the government's "inaction" and to protest "US aggression."
"On March 19, we will launch, not only in the National Capital Region but throughout the country, a protest and strike led by drivers and operators and the masses against the inaction of President Bongbong Marcos' administration and against US aggression, which is causing hardship to the Filipino people," said Mody Floranda, Piston national president.
Later this month, the transport group said it would also file a petition for a P5 jeepney fare increase.
On March 18, Marcos ordered the postponement of fare hikes for public transportation.
Along with the postponement, the President also ordered mitigation programs to help the commuting public, including Libreng Sakay, toll discounts, and fuel subsidies for qualified drivers and operators.
The global fuel crisis springs from the Middle East conflict, which began in February. Iran, in retaliation to attacks from the US and Israel, closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which oil tankers carrying about 20% of the world's oil supply need to pass.
