Manila:The Philippine government is set to initiate a 10-day Free Ride Program, known as Libreng Sakay, beginning on November 5. This initiative aims to increase public awareness of the forthcoming 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits scheduled to occur in Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize this program, which will continue until November 14, 2026.
The Libreng Sakay program includes two routes Sucat to Baclaran and SM Fairview to Buendia, both operating from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. DOT Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay expressed the importance of the program in bringing the ASEAN Summit closer to Filipinos, emphasizing public service through accessible transportation.
The initiative will employ 30 modern jeepneys, with each route served by 15 vehicles daily. These jeepneys are adorned with images of iconic Philippine attractions to enhance visibility of the event and promote the country's tourism. Additionally, discussions are underway between DOT and DOTr to potentially expand the program to the Light Rail Transit System.
