An estimated 625,000 commuter trips are expected to benefit from the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Libreng Sakay initiatives, which will provide free rides on the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) and modern jeepneys in November as part of the Philippines’ hosting of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings.
These initiatives form part of the DOT’s efforts, as Vice Chair for Operations of the National Organizing Committee, to support the country’s hosting of the 2026 ASEAN Summit.
Nearly 500,000 commuter trips are expected to be served by the free LRT-1 rides on November 9, 11, and 13, 2026. The service will be available at all 25 stations, from Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) Station in Quezon City to Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque City, and vice versa, during the morning and afternoon rush hours, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
“Hosting the ASEAN Summit is an opportunity to bring our country closer to our neighbors, but it is also an opportunity for Filipinos to experience what this regional gathering represents. Through these transport initiatives, we are bringing the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship into the daily lives of our people, while making our culture and destinations more visible to both our commuters and visitors,” Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said.
The program is being implemented in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Complementing the free train service is the deployment of 30 modern jeepneys offering free rides from November 5 to 14, 2026, along two major routes: SM Fairview to Buendia and Sucat to Baclaran.
Operating daily from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM, the ASEAN-themed jeepneys feature images of Philippine destinations, festivals, and tourism experiences. The service is expected to accommodate approximately 12,500 commuter trips daily, or around 125,000 over the 10-day period. It will also provide livelihood opportunities for participating drivers and transport workers throughout the program.
In addition, three ASEAN-themed digital videos, featuring songs performed by the country’s tourism ambassadors BINI and SB19 in support of the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship, will be shown on 60 screens across 10 LRT-1 stations.
Through these initiatives, the DOT, Presidential Communication Office (PCO), and DOTr are extending the Philippines’ ASEAN hosting beyond official venues and into public spaces and transport systems, allowing more Filipinos to see, experience, and take part in the country’s role in the region.
