Vice President Sara Duterte’s office has launched a new route under its Libreng Sakay Program to serve commuters in Eastern Visayas or Region 8.

The free bus service now operates along the bus terminal — Tagpuro Elementary School route in Tacloban City. It runs from Monday to Saturday, with two daily schedules: 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

According to the Office of the Vice President, the initiative aims to ease the financial burden on local commuters and promote greater economic mobility and access to opportunities within the community.

Since its official launch on 3 August 2022, the Libreng Sakay Program has deployed a total of nine buses, covering routes in Metro Manila, Naic-Cavite, Cebu, Bacolod, Davao and now Tacloban.

The OVP also plans to expand the libreng sakay by adding two hours per trip this rainy season to better accommodate the growing number of passengers who depend on public transportation.