The Malabon city government on Sunday, April 14, announced that they will provide “Libreng Sakay” for the commuters that will be affected by the nationwide transport strike on Monday and Tuesday, April 15 to 16.

A total of nine vehicles will be provided for the Malabueños which include a bus, L300 van, all-purpose vehicles (APV), light-duty trucks (Travis), and toe trucks from different departments in the city.

According to Public Safety and Traffic Management Office (PSTMO) Chief. Ret. Col. Reynaldo Medina Jr., the said vehicles will be dispatched in case they are needed or a soon as they receive reports of stranded passengers.

The “Libreng Sakay” vehicles will pass through different  routes including Sangadaan – Tatawid, Malabon-Acacia-Monumento, and Gasak – Letre.

PSTMO also coordinated with tricycle, “padyak,” and e-vehicle operators who vowed to continue to provide rides for the commuters.

“Niremind ko lang po sila during that time na sana huwag magkaroon ng probleman dahil baka samantalahin ng mga driver na mag-overcharge sila dahil walang masakyan (I just reminded them during that time to not have any problems because the drivers might take advantage of them to overcharge because there is no one to ride),” he said.
 

“Sa mga nakaraang strike na ipinatupad ng mga organsisasyon, hindi naman tayo nagkaroon ng medyo seryosong problema sa Malabon. Smooth naman po nang naging takbo at nakaantabay po yung mga libreng sakay na sasakyan natin, ready for dispatch anytime na magkaroon ng shortage sa sasakyan (In the previous strikes implemented by the organizations, we did not have a serious problem in Malabon. It was a smooth ride and our free ride vehicles are waiting, ready for dispatch anytime there is a shortage of vehicles),” Col. Medina added.

They will also deploy around 92 personnel and motorcycle-riding units who will conduct patrol and monitoring on the roads 24/7.

The Malabon City Police Station and the Bureau of Fire Protection – Malabon will also strengthen security in the city through continuous city-wide monitoring, while announcements will also be posted on social media.

Officials of Malabon’s 21 barangays  will also conduct monitoring and their areas and may dispatch available vehicles if needed.

Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval assured the Malabueños that they are ready for the transport strike.

“Naghanda po tayo ng mga libreng sakay para sa ating mga kababayan upang mabawasan ang pag-aalala nila sa pagpunta sa kanilang mga trabaho at iba pang destinasyon. Asahan niyo pong patuloy na aalalay ang ating pamahalaan sa mga mananakay upang hindi sila mahirapan sa kanilang pagbiyahe paalis man o pauwi ng kanilang mga tahanan sa gitna ng transport strike (We have prepared free rides for our countrymen to reduce their worries in going to their jobs and other destinations. Expect that our government will continue to support the passengers so that they will not have difficulty in their journey either leaving or returning to their homes in the middle of the transport strike),” she said.