By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – Several “Libreng Sakay (free ride)” buses and trucks are plying the roads of the National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday as part of the government’s effort to ensure the mobility of the public amid a three-day transport strike.
In a statement, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said these free rides were deployed by the Office of the President (OP), the DOTr, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
“Ito’y kasunod ng utos ng Pangulo na tiyaking may masasakyan ang mga bibiyaheng pasahero sa kabila ng tigil-pasada (This is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to ensure that commuters will have a ride despite the transport strike),” the DOTr said.
These vehicles offering free rides are on standby on the routes of Monumento-Quezon Avenue via EDSA, Nagtahan-España via Lacson, White Plains Avenue-Cubao via EDSA, Welcome Rotonda-QC Hall via Quezon Avenue, E. Rodriguez/Araneta Avenue-Quezon Avenue, and E. Rodriguez/Araneta Avenue-Cubao.
“Naka-standby ang mga bus at truck sa mga naturang ruta, at handang bumiyahe anumang oras kapag may na-monitor na mga stranded na komyuter (These buses and trucks are on standby on the said routes and are ready to serve stranded commuters at any time),” it said.
On Tuesday, transport groups Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) and Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) announced a transport strike to protest fuel excise taxes.
Manibela members are scheduled to stage the protest from Sept. 17 to 19, while Piston set its strike for Sept. 18. (PNA)
