PNP sends more vehicles to ease Metro Manila transport problems

June 3, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday deployed additional vehicles in Metro Manila to transport problems which caused workers to be stranded.

Police Major General Dionardo Carlos, Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR), said a total of 12 buses and troop carriers were rolled out starting 5:30 am as part of their “Libreng Sakay” program.

“Similar efforts are being replicated by the PROs (Police Regional Offices) in coordination with their LGUs (Local Government Units) and other government agencies,” Carlos said.

Following the incident last Monday where social distancing was not observed on PNP vehicles carrying stranded workers, Carlos assured that personnel involved in the program were instructed to implement vehicles must only be 50 percent full.

"It is our desire to ferry more people but we give premium to the health and safety of the public availing of these services," he said.

The PNP Libreng Sakay Program is plying four routes to and from different pick-up points within Metro Manila and suburbs daily at 6 am to 9 am and 6 pm to 9 pm along Camp Crame to Valenzuela via EDSA; Camp Crame to Antipolo, Rizal; Camp Crame to Bacoor Cavite via EDSA and Camp Crame to Bacoor, Cavite via Edsa/Parañaque Service Road.

PNP chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa said police are responsive to the instructions of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend all possible assistance to commuters.

“This is part of our commitment to serve the people, not only through our police patrol and checkpoint operations but also providing transportation to our kababayans who will go back to work during the GCQ since mass transit in NCR is still suspended,” Gamboa said.

The program has served a total of 9,264 passengers since March 19, 2020. Ella Dionisio/DMS