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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Libreng sakay!': PCG launches free rides for stranded commuters amid NCR flooding

'Libreng sakay!': PCG launches free rides for stranded commuters amid NCR flooding

Published Jul 22, 2025 01:31 pm
(Photo: Philippine Coast Guard)
(Photo: Philippine Coast Guard)
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rolled out its “Libreng Sakay” program to assist commuters who were stranded across the National Capital Region (NCR) due to severe flooding triggered by Tropical Storm “Crising” and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat).
“Dahil po sa ulang dala ng habagat ay nagkaroon ng pagtaas ng tubig sa Metro Manila. Simula kahapon, ipinagutos ni [PCG Commandant] Admiral [Ronnie Gil] Gavan na itaas ang alert status ng lahat ng units at nagbigay na rin po tayo ng libreng sakay doon sa mga nastranded na commuters (Due to the rains brought by habagat, water levels have risen in Metro Manila. Starting yesterday, Admiral Gavan ordered all units to raise their alert status, and we have also begun offering free rides to stranded commuters),” PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said on Tuesday, July 22.
The PCG expanded its Libreng Sakay program to accommodate more passengers. During its launch on Monday, the Libreng Sakay only covered three routes.
Now, the added routes include the following: Quiapo (Manila) to Fairview (Quezon City); Quiapo to Angono (Rizal); Roxas Boulevard (Manila) to Sucat (Parañaque); Lawton (Manila) to Alabang (Muntinlupa); and Philcoa (Quezon City) to Fairview.
The PCG dispatched a fleet consisting of two multi-purpose vehicles, two buses, two coasters, two boom trucks, two M35 trucks, and an ambulance as part of its free ride initiative.
The vehicles operate along designated routes, providing free transportation from 7 to 10 a.m. and again from 5 to 8 p.m.
Aside from the free rides, the PCG also mobilized its 19 deployable response groups (DRGs) in 16 coast guard districts nationwide to lead search and rescue efforts.
“Nakatutok po tayo sa Metro Manila and ito ang area na may naitala na may pagtaas ng tubig (We are closely monitoring Metro Manila as this is the area where a rise in water levels has been recorded),” Cayabyab said.
Meanwhile, operations in sea ports have since returned to normal. According to Cayabyab, only six ports remained not operational in NCR, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and Southern Visayas as of 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Six passengers, six rolling cargoes, and three vessels were stranded while 13 vessels and 54 motorbancas were taking shelter in the said ports.

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PCG Crising Habagat Libreng Sakay Metro Manila flooding
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