4 million availed of DOTr’s “Libreng Sakay” program

CEBU, Philippines —  More than four million commuters in Central Visayas have availed of “Libreng Sakay” under the Service Contracting Program Phase 3 of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation.

LTFRB-7 has recorded a total 4,036,574 ridership in Region 7 as of May 10, 2022.

The service contracting program intends to assist operators and drivers whose livelihoods were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing price of fuel.

Through the program, commuters are also given service with efficient and safe public transportation.

The Health Care Workers (HCWs ) and Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs) who earlier availed of this program during the Phase 1 and 2 are still included in the phase 3 of its implementation.

Both agencies of the government are grateful to the conductors, drivers and operators for their service and concern for the commuters.

LTFRB-7 regional director Eduardo Montealto, Jr. said that so far there are 900 jeepneys, both modernized and traditional, and 150 buses have participated in the program.

Montealto said that the third phase of the program which officially started on April 17, 2022 will end 50 days after.

 “Pero og naa pa tay budget pwede i-extend pa ang maong programa,” Montealto told The Freeman.

Under this program, operators and drivers are allowed to make a profit based on the number of trips they run each week, whether they have passengers or not.

The program is under Republic Act No. 11494 otherwise known as the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. It is part of the Government’s Covid-19 response and recovery interventions to provide temporary livelihood to displaced workers in the transportation industry.

During the Phase 1 and 2 of its implementation, operators and drivers joining this program were entitled to receive P82 per kilometer (30 percent for the driver and 70 percent for the operator) as a subsidy from the government. — FPL (FREEMAN)