The Department of Transportation (DoTR) led by Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon launched the “Libreng Sakay” for public utility buses (PUBs) through Service Contracting Program (SCP) in Davao City in Panacan, Davao City on Thursday.
The program will be deploying eight buses in identified routes during peak hours, aiming to alleviate the burden on the passengers.
The “Libreng Sakay” program buses will be plying the Lasang to Roxas Avenue route via Sasa and vice versa from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily, including weekends and holidays.
The free ride initiative in Davao City aims to complement the existing Peak Hour Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS) and the soon-to-be-launched Davao Interim Bus Service (DIBS) of Davao City.
According to DoTr, the deployment of large-capacity buses serves as a precursor to the city’s transport vision under the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP).
Dizon said the program will be very helpful for the Dabawenyos.
“Sabi nga po ng Pangulo natin, we really need to help our kababayans, especially our commuters, because as we can see, the cost and the inconvenience are very difficult for our commuters daily, all over the country, not just Davao,” Dizon told the media.
DoTr stated that the Office of the President, through DoTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), has approved the pilot implementation of the Libreng Sakay program in Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, where the potential for impact is high and stakeholder readiness has been demonstrated.
The SCP is a transport model wherein the government engages Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) operators to provide services to commuters based on terms set by the government and compensates them directly based on actual performance and completed service rendered.
“Given ongoing challenges in the Philippine public transport sector, including high fuel prices, lack of sufficient and affordable public transit options, and the financial instability of small transport operators, there is a need to reintroduce mitigating support mechanisms for both commuters and stakeholders,” DoTr said.
DoTr explained that in response to the urgent need to enhance mobility and provide safe, accessible, and efficient transportation to the commuting public, the implementation of “Libreng Sakay” was proposed to strengthen the public transportation system and encourage a shift in commuter behavior by making public transit more attractive, dependable, and accessible.
