MANDALUYONG CITY — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Tuesday (March 21) launched the OVP Libreng Sakay Commonwealth-Quiapo route at the OVP Central Office here.
The OVP, in partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Quezon City (QC) Government and JAC Liner, held a ceremonial prayer and blessing for the buses on Tuesday morning.
Two buses will be deployed to ply from Doña Carmen in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City to Quiapo Church in Quiapo, Manila and vice versa. The buses will augment available transportation during peak hours in the morning and afternoon.
Jerry Licup, 35, and a sales executive, said that the country’s mode of transportation is not easy, and is thankful and looking forward to more projects such as free transportation for the commuting public.
“Sana magdagdagan ‘yung mga ganitong libreng sakay kasi komportable, maganda ‘yung bus, at nakaka-relax sa mga commuters natin lalo na ‘yung mga nag wo-work hard para sa kanilang mga pamilya,” Licup said.
Cristel Joy Casarino, 27, student, thanked the OVP as the Libreng Sakay program helps the commuting public save money, especially to thriving students.
“Sana po mag tuloy-tuloy ang mga programang ito lalong-lalo na sa mga students kasi malaking tulong siya sa budgeting sa pamasahe. Kapag may libreng sakay, instead na ipangbabayad ng pamasahe, ipambibili nalang namin ng pagkain at para sa ibang mga gastusin,” Casarino said.
The OVP, with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), simultaneously launched the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS) - Libreng Sakay in Metro Manila in Luzon, in the cities of Cebu, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue and Bacolod in the Visayas, and Davao City in Mindanao last August 3.
According to the OVP’s Local Affairs and Special Projects Division, the program has already served a total of 337,673 people in 5,852 trips nationwide.
The OVP’s Libreng Sakay Program aims to help the commuting public by providing augmentation to the transportation industry through partnerships with private bus companies and owners.
OVP MEDIA