The Office of the Vice President (OVP) together with the Department of Transportation (DOTR) officially launched the Libreng Sakay program at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Wednesday, Aug. 3.

In a report from RH8 Chrisitan Mano on DZRH’s Rapido Hataw Balita, Vice President Sara Duterte said the program is an extended help for the Filipinos who are commuting every day to work and school.

“It will support the national government’s program and at the same time, it is hoped that this meager contribution will translate to daily savings for our public transport riding kababayans,” she said in her speech.

Duterte said five buses they used during the campaign period will be used for the regular trips.

"Let me emphasize that this program is a demonstration of effective government and private sector collaboration. These buses were lent to us for OVP use but as I said, the team decided that it would be more useful if they were deployed in some key areas of the country to support the libreng sakay of the DOTR,” she said.

The two buses in Metro Manila will route on EDSA Carousel Busway (from Monumento to PITX) every rush hour, from 4am to 10am and 4pm to 10pm.

While the three buses are intended for Cebu City, Bacolod, and Davao City.

Atty. Raymond Munsayac, spokesperson of the Vice President, said the OVP is open to those who will lend more buses.

He said they plan to launch another libreng sakay in crowded routes like the Commonwealth.

Munsayac assured that the OVP will take care of the bus’ diesel and maintenance.