DOTr continues 'Libreng Sakay' program for healthcare workers

MANILA: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) continues  its “Libreng Sakay” program for healthcare workers (HCWs) not only in the National Capital Region (NCR), but also in Regions, 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, CAR, and CARAGA.

The free rides were implemented in various parts of the country through the cooperation of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Last February 1, 2021, total program ridership reached 2,071,531, with 567,189 in NCR-Greater Manila, and 1,504,342 for other regions.

The location of the vehicle units are determined, including the 20 routes of the free rides in the Greater Manila Area, through the mobile app and website of Sakay.ph.

This means that it will be more convenient for the health workers to know where to avail free rides.

Moreover, based on the data of the Road Sector, a total of 65 vehicle units were deployed for the “Libreng Sakay” program last February 1.

DOTr also collaborated with Petron Corporation in providing fuel subsidy to the transport companies who were part of this initiative.

Meanwhile, the toll fee remains free for all medical workers passing through the expressways in Luzon. The free toll program was accomplished through the cooperation of toll operators and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) of DOTr.

This program was made possible through the collaboration of DOTr with the Office of the President, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Office of the Solicitor General, Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), LTFRB, and the LTO.

This government initiative also included transport companies such as Toyota Motor Philippines, uHop, Hyundai, Hino, Star8, at Megaworld Corp. (Citylink), Dagupan Bus, Jac Liner, RRCG Transport, Ceres Transport, Thelman Transit, Hi-Star, Genesis, DLTB, UBE Express, Philtranco, Goldstar, Jasper Jean, Pamana Transport, Pascual liner, Diamond V8, and HM Transport.

The updated map link of the free rides program can be viewed here.

Graphic from the Department of Transportation

Also read: DOTr records over 2-M ridership on free shuttle service for health workers