ILOILO City – Confronted with mounting transport difficulties and the strain of rising living costs, the Iloilo City Government is moving to institutionalize a “Libre Sakay” (free ride) program for City Hall employees — part of a broader package of relief measures aimed at keeping public services running efficiently despite economic pressures.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the proposed program, now in the planning stage, seeks to directly ease the daily commuting burden of government workers, whose mobility has been affected by fluctuating fuel prices and limited transport availability.
“We are still identifying where most of our employees are coming from so we can properly deploy buses and avoid long waiting times,” Treñas explained, noting that surveys are ongoing to pinpoint strategic pick-up points.
The initiative underscores what the mayor described as a workforce-centered approach to governance, recognizing city employees as frontliners in delivering essential services.
“Here in the Iloilo City Government, we take care of our family,” she said.
Treñas stressed that supporting employees translates into improved public service delivery.
“If we are able to support our employees, mas maayo man ang serbisyo nga mahatag naton sa publiko,” she noted.
The planned “Libre Sakay” program forms part of a wider response by the city to cushion the impact of economic challenges on both workers and residents.
Among these is a fuel subsidy program already rolled out for tricycle and jeepney drivers, a sector heavily affected by volatile fuel prices.
“We know that our drivers are among the most affected, so we are extending assistance to help them cope,” Treñas said.
The city has also begun pilot testing a Community Kitchen program in two barangays, which may be sustained throughout the year depending on economic conditions.
“We are studying how we can continue this until the end of the year, especially if fuel prices continue to increase,” she added.
Treñas assured Ilonggos that the city government remains proactive in addressing evolving needs.
“We are doing everything we can to provide timely and appropriate assistance to our people,” she said.
She also thanked city employees for their continued dedication.
“Thank you to our employees for their cooperation and commitment. Together, we can further strengthen the services we deliver to Iloilo City,” the mayor said.
If approved, the “Libre Sakay” program is expected to benefit hundreds of City Hall employees, offering relief from daily commuting costs while reinforcing the city’s push for responsive and inclusive governance./PN
