In a press conference held on Tuesday, March 18, 2026, Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced that Cebu province has been awarded for its participation in the Libreng Sakay program. The application was submitted last month, with the award being received this week, marking a significant milestone for the region's public transportation efforts.
National Initiative to Ease Transport Burdens
The Libreng Sakay program is implemented under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Its primary goals are to alleviate transportation expenses for commuters and provide a stable income for drivers and operators. Governor Baricuatro emphasized that this initiative is not intended to compete with the existing transport sector but rather to support passengers by making travel more affordable and reliable.
Introducing a Timed Departure System
Cebu province has prepared a detailed route plan aimed at addressing mobility challenges through the introduction of a timed departure system. This system will feature fixed schedules and better integration with the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT), enhancing overall efficiency.
Governor Baricuatro explained that the proposed setup requires vehicles to adhere strictly to departure times, regardless of whether they are full—a major shift from the traditional practice of waiting for passengers to fill seats. "This is truly about timed departure. It has a schedule, similar to Hong Kong or Singapore, where there are set times for when vehicles will pass through. This will also help with our transportation problems," she stated.
Promoting Discipline and Integration
Beyond improving efficiency, this change aims to instill discipline among commuters by encouraging them to follow schedules, mirroring systems in more advanced regions. Under the proposed setup, routes from northern and southern areas, such as Carcar, will connect to main corridors of the CBRT, facilitating smoother transitions and reducing congestion.
Studied Under National Framework
The initiative has been studied under the service contracting program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The objective is to enhance effectiveness while maintaining harmony with current transport operations, ensuring a balanced approach that benefits all stakeholders without disrupting existing services.
This award and the new system represent a proactive step toward modernizing Cebu's public transportation, with potential long-term benefits for economic mobility and environmental sustainability in the province.
