'Libre Sakay' starts in Bacolod

THE City Government of Bacolod will impose the "Libre Sakay" program starting today to address the public transportation problem in the city as it has been placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from September 8 to 30.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia, in a statement, said yesterday that in a conference with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Director Richie Osmeña and Bacolod City officials Saturday night, they agreed in principle to allow the use of public utility jeepneys to cater only health workers on a pre-arranged basis without breaking protocols under MECQ.

The conference was also attended by Councilors Cindy Rojas and Dindo Ramos, City Administrator Em Ang, City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan, and Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Edward Joseph Cuansing.

Rojas and Ramos also held a meeting with the transport group leaders yesterday and discussed the parameters of the proposed transport system.

Forty-two jeepneys will ply the 7 routes in Bacolod City to cater to medical workers and essential workers from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with 2 hours interval thereafter.

The central drop off will be at the Bacolod City Public Plaza.

Congressman Greg Gasataya also earlier asked the assistance of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade to address the public transportation problem in the city.

Gasataya said he already coordinated with Tugade and discussed the problem of the Bacolodnons who were forced to walk from their house going to their offices since the public transportation was suspended.

“It’s a big help if the government can provide a free ride to our constituents who were affected of this pandemic,” he said.

He added that Tugade already directed the officials of DOTr- Western Visayas to address the public transportation problem in Bacolod.

Last week, several workers were forced to walk from the city’s border checkpoint points going to their offices because the public utility jeepneys, operating outside Bacolod, just dropped them at the city’s border.