The Office of the Vice President (OVP) vowed that its “Libreng Sakay” program, which aims to help commuters by augmenting public transportation services during rush hour, will continue until the end of Vice President Sara Duterte’s term even with a measly budget.

Lawyer Ruth Castelo, the OVP’s spokesperson, said on Thursday, July 17, that the program has so far assisted over two million Filipino commuters. In 2024, some one million passengers used the free shuttle service.

“Even if we cannot sustain it anymore itutuloy pa rin natin kasi ito yung serbisyo na pinakadirektang nakaka-affect… Alam mo yung instant benefit doon sa sasakay, diba (we are going to continue it because this is the service that has the most direct effect… You know, it’s an instant benefit to the passengers, right)?,” she told reporters who joined the shuttle service from the PITX Terminal in Parañaque City to Mandaluyong City.

“Nag-start siya ng August 3, 2022. Hanggang sa last day ng term ni Vice President Duterte, meron pa rin patatakbuhin na Libreng Sakay (It started August 3, 2022. Until the last day of the term of Vice President Duterte, Libreng Sakay will be available),” she said.

Castelo divulged that the OVP spends around P180,000 per month per bus for the nine buses playing different routes in Metro Manila and the provinces.

The cost covers the operational expenses, such as gasoline and maintenance, of the buses—two of which were purchased by the OVP, while the other seven are under a usufruct agreement with the owners.

The official underscored the need for the program, pointing out that bus terminals are full to capacity with waiting passengers as early as 4 a.m.

In fact, the OVP has applied to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to allow the buses to extend its operations—from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. originally to 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“Kasi dun sa study, merong mga, marami na din pasahero ang 4 o'clock (Because based on the study, there are a lot of passengers at 4 o’clock already),” she explained. “So, yung mga gusto na earlier ang alis ng bahay (those who want to leave the house early), we have the 4 to 10, but we will still need the final study. It's a recommendation.”

Castelo added that they are also “exploring” and “studying” which cities and provinces would need the free shuttle rides.

“But we encourage din (also) the cities and municipalities and especially those in the provinces kung meron silang (if they have a) need for this service, magsabi sila sa OVP at (let the OVP know and) we will be very happy to coordinate with them,” she said.

The program currently has nine buses deployed in different areas—Metro Manila, Cavite, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, and Tacloban.

On July 16, the OVP launched its “Libreng Sakay” program in Eastern Visayas—operating along the Bus Terminal–Tagpuro Elementary School route in Tacloban City from Monday to Saturday with two daily schedules of 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.