TWO transport groups in Bacolod City are opposing the “Libreng Sakay” program initiated by the Office of the Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio in various areas in the city.

The officials and members of Sta. Fe Central-Market Operators and Drivers Association (Sfecmoda) and Arao Vista-Alegre Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (Arvistoda) sought the assistance of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday, August 3, to stop the “Libreng Sakay” program as it will affect their livelihood.

The “Libreng Sakay” program was simultaneously launched in Bacolod City, Metro Manila and Davao City also on Wednesday, wherein two buses will ply the streets of Metro Manila while Cebu, Davao and Bacolod will have one bus each.

“We are appealing to the city council to help us to stop this kind of program. Instead of ‘Libreng Sakay’ from the big bus company, it should be given to us because we have an existing route,” Sfecmoda President Rowel Abrasaldo said.

For his part, Silverio Billones, a representative of Arvistoda, said the purpose of the program is good yet detrimental to them.

The two transport groups have a total of more than 100 members.

In response, the city council also approved a resolution requesting the Office of the Vice President to consider the inclusion of the existing members of the public utility vehicles and tricycles in the locality in its “Libreng Sakay” program.*