FREE RIDES. Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) on standby for the “Libreng Sakay” at the San Fernando Genesis Terminal in Pampanga. Some 549 public utility jeepneys and 20 large buses were mobilized on Thursday (May 21, 2020) to provide free rides to workers in government agencies and private companies within the province. (Photo courtesy of Pampanga province)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Governor Dennis Pineda has mobilized 549 public utility jeepneys and 20 large buses to provide free rides to workers who have been allowed to report in government agencies and private companies within the province.
Dubbed as “Libreng Sakay 2 Para sa mga Manggagawa,” the initiative is part of the provincial government’s efforts to slowly revive the local economy after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) placed Pampanga, Angeles City and other areas in Central Luzon under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from May 16 to 31.
Under Libreng Sakay 1, the governor and 22 mayors fielded the service vehicles of 505 barangays to ferry workers.
In Libreng Sakay 2, Set A consists of 320 drivers scheduled to ply from Monday-Wednesday and Set B, 229 drivers from Thursday-Saturday. Free rides can be availed from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“Hindi lang po mga business establishments ang nakikinabang. Kumikita rin po ang Kapampangang tsuper dito sa Libreng Sakay 2 kasi capitol ang nagbabayad sa bawat biyahe nila (It is not only the business establishments that benefit. The Kapampangan drivers are also earning income under the Libreng Sakay 2 because the provincial capitol will pay for their every trip),” Pineda said in a statement on Friday.
Provincial Administrator Charlie Chua thanked Ahmed Cuison, regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), for issuing special permits to the deployed vehicles.
Meanwhile, Angie Blanco, executive officer of the Pampanga Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said workers availing of free rides are required to wear a face mask and show their company ID or employment certificates.
She said that for physical distancing, a jeepney is required to carry only eight passengers while a bus can only sit 23 persons.
Lt. Col. Jean Fajardo, provincial director of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, has deployed police personnel to enforce safety protocols in transport terminals. The vehicles have designated pick-up and drop-off points.
While work and transport services have been resumed on a limited scale, Governor Pineda advised residents to stay home to protect themselves and the community from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). (PNA)
