The regional office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB 11) suspended the “Libreng Sakay” service for health care workers and authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) starting midnight of October 19, 2021, as the appropriated budget intended for the said service was already exhausted.
“Hurot na ang appropriated amount for the region,” Nonito Llanos III, regional director of LTFRB, told Edge Davao.
Llanos said LTFRB 11 is still requesting additional funds from the central office and if approved, will immediately resume the “Libreng Sakay” service.
“Libreng Sakay” has been servicing frontliners and APORs in Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental.
LTFRB 11 recently opened the 24th route of the “Libreng Sakay” Phase 2 plying through Davao City to Davao Occidental.
Meanwhile, some of the frontliners expressed their gratitude for the service.
“Dako kaayo syag tabang sa among mga frontliners labi na sa mga shifting ug katong mga lagyo gud from Panabo, Tibungco, naa man gud mi kauban nga taga didto. So dako kaayo syang tabang sa ilaha, kay kami sa Engineering, wala man gud miy work from home. So from Monday till Saturday gina pa overtime na sya. Helpful kaayo sya,” said Jeralyn Birondo of the Engineering Department of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
Jennybeth Hisoler, a healthcare worker of Malita District Hospital, benefited from the “Libreng Sakay” Davao Occidental Route.
“Araw-araw apat hanggang limang bus ang babyahe na may rutang Davao City – Malita, Davao Occidental (vice-versa) and magbibigay ng libreng sakay sa mga healthcare workers at APOR,” she said.
“Libreng Sakay” is a project of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and LTFRB under the second phase of its Service Contracting Program which aims to aid affected public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers in their everyday operational expenses amid restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic.
As of October 6, 2021, an average of 94 buses covering 898 trips daily caters to healthcare workers and APOR, allowing almost 300 drivers and personnel to augment their income during this pandemic crisis.
