Inday office eyes more buses, routes for 'Libreng Sakay'
By Nidz Godino
"Malinaw na kailangang-kailangan pa ng gobyerno ng mga bus na magpo-provide ng ganyang services lalo na at no cost," Office of the Vice President (OVP) spokesman Reynold Munsayac said in a press conference Vice President Sara Carpio's office is planning to get additional buses and open more routes for its program offering free rides to public.
OVP is looking for partners from private sector to expand its "Libreng Sakay" program, Munsayac said.
"Ang layunin namin talaga, makahanap ng private partners na magpapahiram din ng bus…sagot naman namin 'yong gasolina, sagot din namin 'yong suweldo ng mga driver, kung kailangan, at 'yong repair at maintenance," he stressed.
It's clear that the government needs buses that will provide those services, especially at no cost…our goal is to find private partners that will also lend buses. We will shoulder the fuel, the salary of the drivers, and if needed, the repair and maintenance of the buses.
The bus route from Commonwealth and Fairview in Quezon City to Quiapo in Manila is a "target" the OVP, Munsayac said.
" We received reports that there are many passengers there ",he said, noting that there was no timeline yet for the program's expansion.
On Wednesday, OVP launched its "Libreng Sakay" program with 5 buses, 2 of which ply EDSA Carousel in Metro Manila. The other 3 were deployed in Cebu City, Davao City, and Bacolod City.
The program runs from Mondays to Saturdays, from 4 in the morning to 10 in the evening and 4 in the afternoon.
The free rides can also accommodate students attending in-person classes, Munsayac added.
The Department of Transportation earlier gave an assurance that public transport was sufficient to cater to students who would go back to physical classes later this year.
Munsayac also reported OVP inaugurated another satellite office in Bacolod last Aug. 1.
This is the seventh OVP satellite office, with others located in the cities of Dagupan, Cebu, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Davao, and Tandag in Surigao del Sur.
The OVP launched satellite offices outside National Capital Region to make its services accessible to more Filipinos.
OVP has opened satellite offices in six cities across the country in bid to make its services accessible to more Filipinos, Vice President Sara Carpio said.
In a Facebook post, VP Carpio said OVP satellite officers were set up in the cities of Dagupan, Cebu, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Davao, and Tandag in Surigao del Sur.
" We opened satellite offices in different parts of the country to help our fellow citizens get easier and immediate access to services of the OVP, Carpio wrote in the post's caption.
Carpio would open OVP satellite offices ahead of her oath-taking for vice presidency last month. The satellite offices will initially roll out medical and burial assistance, her spokesperson, Atty. Munsayac, said. It can also provide relief assistance in case of calamities.
The locations of satellite offices were handpicked for their "strategic proximity and accessibility to other areas or islands." Additional offices can be expected, once initial six are operating fully, the OVP said in a statement.
Carpio, who is also education secretary, has said would continue to reside in her hometown Davao City even though she would spend most of her weekdays working in Metro Manila. A similar arrangement was done by her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The elder Duterte also held presidential office inside Department of Public Works and Highways complex in Panacan, Davao City.
Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also opened an office in Cebu, called Malacañang sa Sugbo, during her term from 2004 until 2010. Arroyo took her oath as president in Cebu City after winning 2004 elections.
On Monday, Carpio is scheduled to attend turnover ceremony at Department of Education. She replaces Sec. Leonor Briones.
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