Manila City to hire 1,400 jeepney drivers for 'Libreng Sakay' service

The Manila City government will hire more than 1,400 jeepney drivers as part of its free ride or "Libreng Sakay" program, Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso said Friday. 

Domagoso made the announcement following a meeting with 22 Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (JODAs). He said the initiative is part of the city government's implementation of Section 5 of Executive Order 14, which mandates economic assistance for the transport sector amid rising fuel costs.

Under the service contracting program, the Manila government will subsidize the daily operations of participating jeepney units and will provide free transportation service to passengers.  

Drivers are expected to receive around P3,000 per day, depending on the type of unit.

"Hihiramin ko 'yung mga jeep at driver. Garantisadong bayad araw-araw. May kita ang operator, may kita ang driver," said Domagoso.

(I will borrow the jeeps and drivers. They will be paid everyday and that would provide earnings for both the drivers and operators.)

"Tiyak na kita, kasiguruhan. May kita ang gasolinahan at mga nagnenegosyo sa Maynila, at higit sa lahat, walang kailangang bayaran ang ating mga mananakay kapag ang jeep na sasakyan nila ay kasapi ng programa ng Lungsod ng Maynila," he added. 

(They will have guaranteed earnings. It will also ensure gas stations will have their profits and passengers can ride jeepneys for free.)

More than 1,400 jeepneys are expected to participate in the program, covering routes across Manila City and nearby areas. Some 100,000 passengers daily are likewise seen to benefit from the free ride service. 

The program will initially run for five days across two weeks: Monday and Tuesday of the first week, and Monday to Wednesday of the following week. It may be extended, depending on available funds. — VDV, GMA Integrated News