Capitol, DOTr officially sign “Tabang Pangbyahe Program”

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Cebu Provincial Government have officially launched the country’s first provincial government-led service contracting program for public transportation, dubbed the “Tabang Pangbyahe Program.”

The program is said to mark a milestone in efforts to improve public transport services while supporting public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers.

The initiative was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the DOTr, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Cebu Provincial Government at the Cebu South Bus Terminal recently.

The program is the first of its kind in the Philippines to be led by a provincial government, with the DOTr providing P20 million in funding support under the Net Service Contracting modality.

The initiative aims to provide financial assistance to PUV operators and drivers while ensuring that commuters have access to reliable, safe, and accessible public transportation, especially as schools reopen.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the DOTr to implement measures that would help transport workers maintain a steady source of income amid the impact of the volatile situation in the Middle East on the transport sector.

The program also seeks to ensure an adequate supply of public transportation for commuters.

Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said the partnership demonstrates how collaboration between the national government and local government units can improve public transport services.

“Hindi lang po ang mga operators at drivers ang makikinabang sa programang ito ng ating Pangulo, kundi maging ang mga commuters dahil matitiyak nating sapat ang pampublikong sasakyang bumabiyahe lalo na ngayong pasukan na ng mga estudyante,” Lopez said in a statement.

Under the agreement, the DOTr, LTFRB, and the Cebu Provincial Government will implement the service contracting program to encourage bus operators to serve underserved routes across the province.

Participating bus operators will receive incentives but must comply with standards set by the provincial government.

These include installing GPS devices connected to a local command center for real-time monitoring, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation, operating PWD-friendly low-floor buses, ensuring properly functioning air-conditioning systems, and observing a strict 60-passenger, no-standing policy.

The designated loading and unloading points will be based on a study conducted by the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO).

DOTr Senior Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor said the initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with local government units to improve mobility nationwide.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro welcomed the launch of the program, describing it as a significant step toward improving transportation services across Cebu.

“Through this partnership among the national government, the Province of Cebu, and our local stakeholders, we are taking a unified step toward more efficient and accessible transport services across Metro Cebu and eventually, throughout the entire province,” Baricuatro said.

Once the funds are released to the Cebu Provincial Government, eligible bus operators may begin processing their applications to participate in the Tabang Pangbyahe Program.

The initiative is expected to benefit Cebuano PUV operators, drivers, and thousands of daily commuters while serving as a model for other local government units across the country.