Rizal town offers free rides for commuters amid GCQ

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of the municipality of Rodriguez, Rizal announced that it has set up free transportation for stranded commuters as general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila takes effect.

In a statement released Tuesday, Rodriguez Mayor Dennis Hernandez said that the LGU rolled out free van and bus rides to ferry passengers to their respective workplaces as public transportation is limited in GCQ areas.

“Dahil limitado po ang pampublikong transportasyon sa ilalim pa rin ng GCQ at marami na ang nagbabalik trabaho, prayoridad po natin na matulungan at mapagaan ang kanilang biyahe pagpasok lalo na ang ating mga essential frontliners, health workers,” Hernandez said.

(Since public transportation is limited in GCQ areas and many have already gone back to work, it is our priority to help them and ease their trip to work, especially to our frontliners and health workers.)

Rodriguez’s “Libreng Sakay” program will be available from Monday to Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Here are the routes covered by the free transportation program:

Route 1 – San Isidro to Litex
Litex – Jollibee (Super 8), QC
VAN – 5:30 a.m. start

• ER Phase 2
• GB
• East Meridian
• Ultramega
• Harangan
• Manila hills
• Kasiglahan
• Tagumpay
• Christine Ville
• Crossing to Payatas – Litex – Jollibee (Super 8)
• back to Montalban

Route 2 – San Rafael to Litex Jollibee (Super 8) QC
BUS – 5:30 a.m. start

• Cortijos
• Luvers Puregold Jr.
• Total
• Jeafer
• Zuñiga tapat Col. S. Cruz
• Andoks
• Puregold SJ
• Simbahan (SJ luma)
• Crossing to Payatas
• Litex – Jollibee (Super 8)
• back to Montalban

Route 3 – Burgos to Litez market
Litex – Jollibee (Super 8), QC
Van at  5:30AM

• Boundary Burgos
• Montaña
• Talisay Ohayo
• Iglesia
• Rural Bank
• Andoks
• Puregold SJ
• Simbahan
• Crossing to Payatas – Litex Market
• Back to Montalban

Route 4 : Montalban – Marikina

• Cortijos
• Luvers
• Total
• Rural Bank – Manggahan
• Iglesia ni Cristo
• Talisay
• Montaña
• Boundary (Burgos-Maly)
• San Mateo Plaza
• Marikina BAYAN (Drop off at Marikina Sports Center)
• Back to Montalban

Hernandez then reminded commuters to follow necessary health protocols and observe social distancing.

“Ang lahat ng sasakay ay dapat mayroon suot na face mask at mainam na may dalang personal disinfectants palagi bilang proteksyon. Ihanda rin ang mga kaukulang dokumento gaya ng ID o travel pass para sa checkpoints na daraanan,” the mayor said.

(All those who will ride should wear a face mask and must bring personal disinfectants as protection.  They should also be prepared with their necessary documents such as ID or travel pass needed for the checkpoints along the way.)

As Metro Manila transitioned to GCQ on Monday, several commuters experienced difficulty going to work due to the lack of public transportation.

Under GCQ, jeepneys and buses are not allowed to be back on the road to transport commuters.

READ: DOTr bares 2 phases of public transport revival in GCQ areas

From June 1 to 21, only trains and bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicle services, shuttle services, point-to-point buses and bicycles have been allowed to be used as a mode of public transportation.

Meanwhile, public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles or jeepneys and UV Express vehicles will be allowed to be back on the road from June 22 to 30.