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Capitol rolls out free-ride program for commuters
The Freeman
|March 20, 2026
Governor Pamela Baricuatro on Wednesday said the Capitol is expediting the finalization of guidelines for the “libreng sakay” initiative, which will prioritize major routes connecting northern and southern towns to Cebu City.
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The program, funded by the DOTr, is part of a broader effort to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on the public, alongside planned fuel and rice subsidies.
Baricuatro said provincial officials have already convened to discuss the program’s mechanics and have coordinated with national agencies, including the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“Timing kaayo because we applied for this, I think a few weeks ago ... So really in time sa fuel crisis now at least makatabang ‘ta sa katawhan sa probinsya,” she said.
Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces confirmed that the province has already received the P20 million allocation from the DOTr to jumpstart the initiative.
Empaces said the free-ride program is expected to cover key intercity routes, particularly from Danao City in the north and Carcar City in the south going to Cebu City.
This story is from the March 20, 2026 edition of The Freeman.
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