‘Libre Sakay’ slated for comeback

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz– The “Libre Sakay” or free-ride program of the national government is expected to resume here.

Ester Chiva Montanejos, Panay Island Transport Service Cooperative (PITSC) chairwoman, said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has called them again to discuss the revival of the free-ride program in September to December 2021.

The free-ride scheme would be operational once the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has paid the balance of the unpaid drivers for April to June 2021.

Once paid, they will immediately push for the resumption of the program, Montanejos said.

The “Libreng Sakay” program of the PITCS here ended on June 29, 2021.

The free ride program is a mandatory scheme under the Service Contracting Program of the DOTr and LTFRB.