Kalinga PLGU to finalize “Libreng Sakay” program, prioritizing vulnerable sectors amid rising fuel prices and fares

Tabuk City, Kalinga – To help commuters cope with the impact of rising fuel prices, the Provincial Government of Kalinga is currently crafting strategies to implement a “Libreng Sakay” program in the province.

Commuters—not only in Kalinga but across the country—are facing higher transportation fares due to the fuel crisis brought about by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The “Libreng Sakay” initiative under the leadership of Governor James S. Edduba aims to help ease this burden.

During the Kapehan meeting of the provincial government on Monday, April 6, Edduba stressed that the program should not mainly benefit government employees but must prioritize those most affected by the crisis, such as students and low-income commuters.

“Haan lang manen nga puros empleyado koma makibang ditoy. Kasanu garud nga libreng sakay nu datayo to met lang ti makinabang? Dagijay koma talaga nga marigrigatan or apektado ti daytoy nga crisis, kasla dagitoy estudyante,” said Edduba.

In an update to the plan, Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) Head Flordeliza Moldero reported during a meeting of the Provincial Energy Crisis Impact Task Force (PECITF) on April 7 at the Golden Berries Hotel that a Capitol-owned bus will be utilized for the free ride program.

Moldero explained that with the continuous increase in fares, the PLGU aims to ease commuters’ expenses through the initiative by using available government vehicles.

“Nanginan ngay ti pamasahe. Tricycle laengen ket P30 pesos na yata ti pamasahe. So how can we help our commuters? Sa province, ganun ang gagawin namin—libreng sakay sa bus ng Capitol. So kasjay koma nu anya ti maitulong tayo,” said Moldero.

Meanwhile, SWAD Team Leader Lorna Lumioan expressed concern over the possible impact of the program on transport drivers, noting that while commuters benefit from free rides, drivers may lose income as passenger volume could decline.

“As much as we commuters ket kayat mi agtipid iti pamasahe kasi nangina nga talaga, dagitoy tricycle drivers ket baka makurangan da nu agsakay kami, kasi we are the source of their income. So 50/50—how are we going to help them, and also how are we going to help ourselves? Pag libreng sakay, paano naman po yung mga ombak and tricycle drivers?” Lumioan said.

Responding to the concern, Moldero shared that the PLGU will also extend fuel subsidies to transport groups to balance the support.

“May libreng sakay for commuters, at the same time may programa ang PLGU na fuel subsidy to the transport group. We are addressing the commuters while also responding to the needs of our transport group,” she said.

Sharing a similar view, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Head Christian Luyaben suggested that specific routes and schedules should be set to ensure fairness for transport drivers.

"Mayat nu ada scheduling tapno ma-maximize tayo diay maysa biahe na. Ta baka agreklamo met iman dagitoy agpaspasada. Fair siguro kadagijay agpaspasada nu ada lang ti scheduled time nga papanan daytoy libreng sakay tayo. Adu ti kakailyan tayo nga kayat da ag-avail ditoy tapno makatipid da iman. We need to specify the scheduled time and route," said Luyaben.

As of this writing, the proposed libreng sakay program is set for further discussions among concerned offices to finalize its mechanics and target beneficiaries before its possible implementation.