The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “Libreng Sakay” has so far transported 11,558 commuters since Metro Manila and four neighboring provinces were placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) last week.

In a statement on Tuesday, PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said PNP heavy-lift transport vehicles comprising two buses, five utility trucks, and two coasters alternately make regular round trips to and from designated pick-up and drop-off points within the city.

Commuters are also provided with free face masks, bottled water, and useful information materials, Sinas said.

“This is the PNP’s way of reaching out to citizens by providing mobility and other extended services to authorized persons (APOR) so that they could attend to their work with convenience even while the ECQ is in effect,” he added.

The PNP Libreng Sakay vehicles ply seven regular routes from Edsa-Crame to Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan in the north; Zapote to Bacoor, Cavite in the south; and Rodriguez, Antipolo City and Taytay, Rizal in the east.

Sinas said the free rides are further complemented by 1,317 PNP mobile assets of the National Capital Region Police Office which has so far logged 2,743 sorties from March 29 to April 4.

He said PNP Libreng-Sakay observes the 50 percent seating capacity policy in public transport enforced by the Department of Transportation. (PNA)