ZAMBOANGA CITY – The government launched Tuesday the Service Contracting Program Phase 3 here and in Zamboanga del Sur to help cushion the effect of the worldwide economic crunch.
The program, also known as “Libreng Sakay (Free Ride)”, is a joint undertaking of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
“Libreng Sakay" aims to help the transport owners, drivers, and commuters who are affected by the health pandemic and rising fuel prices, according to the two agencies in a statement posted Tuesday on the city government's Facebook page.
LTFRB Regional Director Johnson Almazan said both agencies signed a contract with the D’Biel Transportation Company, Inc. and AA Starlight Express Corporation for the implementation of the program here and in Zamboanga del Sur.
Under the agreement, D’Biel Transportation Company, Inc. will field 10 buses to serve the route of Zamboanga City Public Market to Labuan via Ayala and vice-versa.
AA Starlight Express Corporation will also field 10 buses to serve the route from Pagadian City to Midsalip via Molave and vice-versa in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.
Almazan said they will expand the Libreng Sakay program to cover additional 20 routes in this city, including three routes in Zamboanga del Norte.
“We will add more routes to be covered by the program in the coming days,” he added. (PNA)
