OVP serves over 2M passengers in 'Libreng Sakay' program

OVP serves over 2M passengers in ‘Libreng Sakay’ program

By: - Reporter / @zacariansINQ
/ 12:16 PM July 17, 2025

Office of the Vice President spokesperson Ruth Castelo

Office of the Vice President spokesperson Ruth Castelo — File photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Thursday said it has served over 2 million passengers in its “Libreng Sakay” (free ride) program since 2022.

According to OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo, the 2,025,275 total passengers who benefited from the program were recorded by the office as of June 30, 2025.

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READ: OVP launches ‘Libreng Sakay’ program; to use 5 buses lent by private sector

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“Back in December, in our annual report, it was just over one million up to the end of 2024. That’s why, as time goes on, we’re able to serve more and more passengers,” Castelo told reporters in a chance interview.

Asked how the OVP managed to double the number of passengers it has served in merely six months, Castelo responded that it may simply be because of the fact that the number of people in need of free and alternative transportation increased.

The OVP’s Libreng Sakay program began in August 2022, just a month after Vice President Sara Duterte assumed office.

It currently has nine total buses — two owned by OVP, while the others on lease from private companies through a use of rack agreement — and seven routes.

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The routes currently being plied by the OVP’s Libreng Sakay buses are as follows:

  • PITX to Naic, Cavite (and vice versa)
  • PITX to Monumento, Caloocan (and vice versa)
  • Quiapo, Manila to Commonwealth, Quezon City (and vice versa)
  • Tacloban City to Yolanda relocatees (and vice versa)
  • Around Metro Cebu
  • Around Davao City
  • Bacolod City

According to Castelo, the OVP spends around P180,000 per month on each bus as part of its operation costs.

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OVP vows to sustain ‘Libreng Sakay’ program

Castelo then vowed that the OVP will sustain the Libreng Sakay program, at least until the end of Vice President Sara Duterte’s term.

“Even if we can no longer sustain it, we will still continue because this is the kind of service that directly impacts people the most,” said Castelo.

“You know the immediate benefit for the passengers, right? It started on August 3, 2022, and even up to the last day of the Vice President’s term, there will still be free rides running,” she added.

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When asked if the OVP intends to increase its buses and routes, Castelo responded that the office is currently “exploring it” but called on local government units to coordinate with the OVP. /das

TAGS: free ride, Office of the Vice President, OVP

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