The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Monday, March 6, deployed an additional bus to assist commuters during the week-long transport strike staged by various groups opposing the government’s jeepney modernization program.

In a viber message to reporters, the OVP said there is one new bus that was dispatched in Valenzuela City for those affected by jeepney operators’ and riders’ transport strike.

The strike pushed through despite President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s call for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to revisit the jeepney modernization program’s timetable and implementation.

This week’s strike would involve some 40,000 traditional jeepneys and UV express units. 

The OVP is currently using five buses lent by the private sector as part of its “Libreng Sakay” program.

Two buses are deployed to provide free rides to the commuting public in Metro Manila and one bus each is in Davao, Bacolod, and Cebu.

Vice President Sara Duterte said the OVP’s free ride program aims to “provide relief” to Filipinos dependent on public transportation to go to work, school, and many other places.