Libreng sakay: Spirit of damayan in a crisis

In times of crisis, the true measure of governance lies not only in policy declarations but in the immediacy and compassion of its response.

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The Manila City government's “Libreng Sakay” program is a compelling case in point—an initiative that has brought tangible relief to commuters at a time when rising fuel costs continue to squeeze already burdened household budgets.

From March 30 to April 8, 2026, the program has been patronized by an impressive 931,831 commuters, underscoring both the urgency of the need and the effectiveness of the intervention. Building on an earlier report of over 716,000 beneficiaries within the first days of implementation, the surge in ridership reflects how quickly such programs can resonate with the public when they directly address daily hardships.

The genius of the program lies in its dual-impact design. By subsidizing jeepney drivers and operators with guaranteed daily earnings ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, the city government ensured that transport workers—whose incomes had plummeted due to soaring fuel prices—were not left behind. At the same time, commuters, particularly students and minimum-wage earners, were spared the rising cost of fares.

This is governance that works on both sides of the equation: protecting livelihoods while easing the cost of living.