Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Allison Co

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Amid rising fuel prices and transport strikes, the Manila City local government on Friday announced it will deploy more than 1,400 public utility jeepneys (PUJs) under its five-day “libreng sakay” program beginning next week.The initiative, led by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, aims to provide free rides to commuters while ensuring stable income for drivers affected by fluctuating fuel costs and reduced passenger demand.The program will run from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 30 to 31, and will resume from April 6 to 8 after the Holy Week.Under the scheme, each participating jeepney driver residing and operating within Manila will receive P3,000 per day.“Doon na nakapaloob yung pambayad nila sa gasolina, yung kita ng driver, at boundary po nila sa operator. Subalit, wala pong babayaran lahat ng pasaherong sasakay sa mga hiniram na jeep ng Lunsod ng Maynila,” Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau head Dennis Viaje explained.Viaje added that the daily rate was determined through consultations with drivers.“Tinanong po sila ni Mayor (Isko Moreno) tungkol dun sa kita nila at ano gastos po nila. Bastante naman po yung binigay ng siyudad ng Maynila para sa kanila. At yan po, guaranteed, hindi na po katulad sa pagpapasada nila sa araw-araw, eh suntok sa buwan pa po kung kikitain nila o hindi,” he added.Some jeepney drivers expressed support for the program, saying they prefer a guaranteed income over uncertain daily earnings or short-term financial aid.“Kaysa naman ayuda wala naman kaming nakuhang ayuda eh… Pwede ho dagdagan ma’am para mas marami ang kumita naman kahit papaano,” Mark Tabala, a 40-year-old PUJ driver from Manila, said.Commuters also welcomed the free ride initiative, citing relief from daily transport expenses.“Makakatulong po talaga ‘yon sa amin, especially students. Makakatipid po sa pamasahe,” 20-year-old student Thea Sofia said.She added that even before the program, some commuters had been voluntarily paying more than the minimum fare to help drivers cope with fuel costs.“Before po, hindi pa naman po talaga nagtataas ‘yung pamasahe. Pero syempre po, gusto ein namin makatulong. P13 ‘yung minimum fare po, ginagawa ko na po P15 para makatulong,” she added.Workers also emphasized the need for long-term solutions to ongoing transport and fuel issues.“Siyempre malaking tulong hindi lamang sa aming mga commuters na nagtatrabaho as well as sa mga estudyante, tapos ‘yung mga minimum wage earners. Long term solution at the same time, yung pang matagalan as long as hindi pa tumitigil ‘yung Middle East crisis,” worker Lito Tabuldan said, calling for more long-term solutions.Meanwhile, jeepney drivers from nearby cities called on their respective local governments to implement similar programs.Samuel Salazar, a driver operating in Manila but residing in Caloocan, said he will not benefit from the initiative and spends around P2,000 daily on fuel.“Lalo kaming lulubog. Wala na malulugi na,” he said.Another driver, Ariel Denito from Quezon City, echoed the concern, saying little income is left for their families after expenses.“Wala na nga po halos natitira ma’am eh dahil sa mahal po ng gasolina eh tapos mahal pa ng boundary, wala na nauuwi sa pamilya,” PUJ driver Ariel Denito who resides in Quezon City also added.

The initiative aims to provide free rides to commuters while ensuring stable income for drivers affected by fluctuating fuel costs and reduced passenger demand.

The initiative aims to provide free rides to commuters while ensuring stable income for drivers affected by fluctuating fuel costs and reduced passenger demand.

Manila to pay 1,400 jeepney drivers P3,000 daily under ‘libreng sakay’ program

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Manila to pay 1,400 jeepney drivers P3,000 daily under ‘libreng sakay’ program

Allison Co,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 27, 2026 05:00 PM PHT

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jeepney drivers

PUV

libreng sakay

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