LTFRB to revive 'libreng sakay' initiative

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Monday that the «Libreng Sakay,» or free transportation initiative of the government, will return starting in November and last until December.

At a press conference in Quezon City, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz 3rd said they are waiting for the P1.3 billion from the Department of Transportation (DoTr).

He said they will prioritize the National Capital Region (NCR) and will offer free rides for the EDSA bus carousel and jeepneys until the end of the year.

«This month, the budget will be released. We will bring back Libreng Sakay. We will start with Metro Manila. It will include jeepneys,» he said.

«If before, it only covered the buses at EDSA Carousel, now it covers the jeepneys as well,» Guadiz pointed out.

The chairman said that they are trying to chase the November target as it will be LTFRB's early gift for Filipino commuters.

«The P1.3 billion budget has already been allocated through a joint memorandum circular. The budget will be released soon. You know, we are chasing November-December to implement it, as an early Christmas gift from the LTFRB,» Guadiz said further.

In 2022, Sen. Juan Edgardo «Sonny» Angara said that they will continue the «Libreng Sakay» initiative in 2023.