“Libreng Sakay” Program’s Resumption Eyed in April

According to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the government’s expanded “Libreng Sakay” program is targeted to be implemented in April. Maria Kristina Cassion, LTFRB Executive Director, furthered during a briefing that the agency is simply waiting for the actual downloading of funds allocated for the third tranche of the Service Contracting Program (SCP) prior to the rollout of the program.

Funds amounting to ₱7 billion was earlier released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) — which the LTFRB falls under — for the implementation of the program alongside the inclusion of other public utility vehicles (PUVs) such as the jeepney and the UV express.

“Gusto namin na itong service contracting, dito po napapaloob yung ‘Libreng Sakay’ na program natin, eh maipatupad sa lalong madaling panahon,” explained Cassion. “Inaantay lang natin ang pag download ng bugdet sa LTFRB and hopefully, the soonest possible time ngayong April masimulan na natin ang service contracting para ngayong taon.”

(“We are hoping that our SCP, where the ‘Free Ride’ program is enclosed, will start as soon as possible. We’re just waiting for the downloading of budget o the LTFRB and hopefully, at the soonest possible time on April we can start the SCP for this year.”)

A one-time payout of ₱4,000 will be provided for operators and drivers who participate in the free ridership program as enclosed in the service contracting program. Additionally, participants will also receive weekly payments based on kilometers traveled per week, regardless if they had carried passengers or not.

The LTFRB is likewise expected to prepare a plan which PUV operators will be contracted under. Following the program’s successful turnouts over the past two years, Cassion is hopeful that more drivers and operators will be interested to participate in the government scheme. Adjusted payment rates will also be considered for partners amidst the recent hike in fuel prices.

She added that around 44 million passengers benefitted from the servicing program throughout 2021 and 2022. Moreover, the free ride program on the EDSA carousel bus is also set to resume on the last week of March while the MRT-3 will also be giving out free rides from March 28 to April 30.

“Dahil nga po nakita na ng operators ang kagandahan,  inaasahan po na mas marami ang sasali ngayong taon. Mas nadagdagan din naman po ang ating pondo kung kaya po sa mas maraming sasali, mae-expect po natin na mas marami pa rin pong pasahero ang makikinabang sa service contractor,” elaborated Cassion.

(“Because the operators have seen the positive implications of the program, we are expecting that more partners will join this year. If more drivers and operators participate, more passengers will benefit.”)

Source: GMA News