IN A bid to connect the eastern barangays to the town center, Porac Mayor Jaime “Jing” Capil recently led the launching of the “Libreng Sakay (Free Ride)” project at Porac Mini Park.
The “Libreng Sakay” project aims to transport Poraqueños from eastern barangays including Sta. Cruz, Manibaug Libutad, Manibaug Paralaya, Manibaug Pasig, Siñura, and Calzadang Bayu among others to the town proper which is the western side of the town.
The project will initially run for two months.
“Ini pung ‘Libreng Sakay’ tamung ayni, yapin pu ing umpisa na ning pamag-konekta tamu ning eastern Porac keng western Porac,” Mayor Capil said.
(This Libreng Sakay is the start of interconnecting eastern Porac to western Porac.)
Capil shared that for years, most Poraqueños from the eastern barangays would go to neighbor Angeles City for their economic activities.
“Ini pung proyektu tamung ayni, makasaup ya kareng micro-medium-and small entrepreneurs (MSMEs) ning Porac. Nung keng balen nala ngan manyali reng Poraqueños, sikan la pu reng negosyu karin, miragdagan la, ken nala mu pung balen dudurut reng pera tamu,” Capil said.
(This project of ours will be of help to MSMEs of Porac. If Poraqueños will do their marketing at the town center, business and trade will flourish and the money will circulate within the town.)
Capil added their town center has its own market, grocery stores, pharmacies, bank, and a fast food chain.
Barangay Manibaug Paralaya Captain Adrian "Papay" Carreon expressed full support to the project.
“Masanting yang proyektu ini. Manibat kanita, meg-dependi tamu Angeles City. For the first time, pauli na nini, reng pera tamu dumurut nala Porac,” he said.
(This is a good project. Ever since, we depended on Angeles City. For the first time, the money will circulate in Porac.)
Meanwhile, Porac Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers’ Association (FEDJODA) president Januario Hernandez said the new route provides local jeepney drivers additional income.
“Alternate pu kasi ing pamamasada mi ngeni. Pauli na pu ning bayung rutang ayni, reta pung e maka-schedule byahi keng terminal, ila pung mamasada keni,” Hernandez said.
If the project takes off, Capil said they will make the route Porac Mini Park to Town Proper permanent and eventually seek a franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Jeepneys for the “Libreng Sakay” project are stationed at Porac Mini Park from Monday to Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.