Liga ng mga Barangay President January Duterte further strengthened the group’s advocacy of providing free and safe transportation for Dabawenyo children by turning over a total of 12 school service vehicles to 12 barangays across Davao City.
The turnover is in line with Duterte’s “Libreng Sakay para sa Edukasyon” program, which was first launched in January 2025. The program is part of her continued efforts to support accessible education and provide safer transport for indigent students. These school vehicles will provide the students with free transportation to ease their daily commute, particularly those in remote or underserved barangays.
“Nasayod kita nga daghan sa atoang mga estudyante ang nag-atubang sa kalisod matag adlaw tungod sa kakulang sa pamasahe ug layo nga byahe paingon sa eskwelahan. Aduna’y mga ginikanan nga naningkamot matag adlaw aron lamang makahatag og pamasahe sa ilahang mga anak (We are aware that many of our students face hardship every day due to a lack of transportation fare and long commutes to school. There are parents who strive every day just to be able to provide fare for their children),” Duterte said.
She emphasized that the program is intended to ease the burden of parents, as well as to ensure that children focus on learning, and not on the problem of transportation.
“Kini usa ka pagpamatuod nga ang edukasyon usa ka katungod nga angay maabot sa matag kabatan-onan bisan unsa pa ang ila’ng kahimtang sa kinabuhi (This is a testament that education is a right that should be within reach of every young person, regardless of their circumstances in life),” Duterte added.
The beneficiaries of the program are the barangays of Bucana, Dumoy, Matina Aplaya, Communal, Panacan, Gatungan, Tawan-Tawan, Gumalang, Talandang, New Valencia, Tagurano, and Bato.
Barangay leaders, school teachers, and students extended their gratitude to the Liga for prioritizing the welfare of students. They also pledged to maintain the vehicles properly and ensure that operations follow safety standards and proper scheduling.
The Libreng Sakay para sa Edukasyon program reflects the local government’s commitment to inclusive education and community development. As the program grows, more students in Davao City are expected to benefit, bringing them one step closer to achieving their dreams. CIO
Written by: J. Villaluz
Edited by: A. Nawal
Photo by: J. Faelnar