- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod heard this afternoon, August 3, the sentiments of drivers of tricycles and jeepneys, who claimed that they will be adversely affected by the “Libreng Sakay” program, initiated by the Office of the Vice President, in Barangay Vista Alegre.
The free rides in the barangay will reportedly be every Monday, starting on August 8, with a bus of Vallacar Transit Inc. to ferry passengers for free, from point to point, during peak hours, or from 6-10 a.m., and from 4-8 p.m.
The Libreng Sakay will last for three months, and will also be offered in other barangays of Bacolod, and in Cebu and Davao, the SP was told.
Randy Bacaoco, president of the ARVISTODA or the Arao-Vista Alegre Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, and Rowel Abrasaldo, president of SFECMODA, or the Sta. Fe Central Market Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association, told the SP members during their regular session that while they do not oppose the program, they asked that they will also be given assistance so they will have some earnings for their families.
The SP decided to communicate with the Office of Vice President Sara Duterte, through a resolution, inform her of the plight of drivers, and request if the OVP could consider including the drivers of local TODAs in the Libreng Sakay program./CGC
