Libreng Sakay muna: Manila taps 1,442 jeepney drivers as fuel prices bite

Manila is rolling out a quick relief move for commuters and jeepney workers as fuel prices keep climbing because of the conflict in the Middle East. The city government said 1,442 jeepney drivers have been tapped to provide free rides under a temporary transport program that starts Monday, March 30.

The initiative took effect through Executive Order No. 14, series of 2026, and will run on March 30 and 31 before pausing during Holy Week. It will then resume from April 6 to April 8. Mayor Isko Moreno said the program is meant to answer the public’s immediate needs habang ramdam na ramdam ang taas-presyo sa krudo.

Under the setup, Manila will pay P3,000 per jeepney: P1,000 for the driver, P1,000 for the operator, and another P1,000 earmarked for diesel. The city government expects to spend P21.63 million on the free ride effort, with the possibility of an extension if the program works and funds remain available.

Each participating jeepney will carry a white banner identifying it as part of the city-backed service, and every unit will be accompanied by an enforcer from the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau. Rappler also listed 22 participating operators and associations covering routes around areas such as Divisoria, Quiapo, Tayuman, Pandacan, Sta. Ana, Paco, Bacood, and Guadalupe.

For commuters, the big thing here is simple: libre muna ang sakay on selected routes while transport costs stay painful. For drivers and operators, the city is trying to soften the blow of rising fuel costs without pulling units off the road completely.

Source: Rappler