CEBUANOS can now enjoy free bus rides during peak hours after the Office of the Vice President (OVP) launched Wednesday, August 3, 2022, its Libreng Sakay program.
The initiative “Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (Phabs)-Libreng Sakay,” led by Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte, aims to help ease the financial burden and daily commuting struggles of Filipinos who are returning to on-site work, especially that face-to-face classes are set to begin this month.
The same program was also simultaneously launched in Metro Manila, Davao City and Bacolod City. Two buses will ply the streets of Metro Manila, while Cebu, Davao and Bacolod will have one bus each.
On Duterte’s Facebook page, the Vice President said the WiFi-ready buses were lent to be used by the OVP.
She added that it will be more useful if the public can utilize them for commuting.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) also extended its support to the program of the OVP as a commitment to provide better transport service for all Filipinos.
“The DOTr remains committed to work hand in hand with other national government agencies, in the pursuit of its goal — to provide an accessible, affordable, comfortable and safe transport service for all Filipinos,” read a portion of its statement.
In Cebu, the bus will go around the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu on separate days.
The bus will be in Mandaue City on Mondays and Tuesdays only and will serve passengers from 7 to 10 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. The pick-up point will be in Barangay Jagobiao.
For commuters in Cebu City, the pickup point will be at SM Seaside on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.
In Lapu-Lapu City, the pickup point will be at the Mactan Economic Zone on Fridays and Saturdays only from 6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.