P1.4B fund for extended ‘Libreng Sakay’ at Edsa Busway released

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, a P1.4-billion fund to support the extended implementation of the program that funds free rides for commuters along the Edsa Carousel Route.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the Special Allotment Release Order (Saro) and the Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) amounting to P1.4 billion to cover the additional funding requirements.

The Service Contracting Program, which supports the mobility requirements of students and the labor force, has been extended in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s order to extend the “Libreng Sakay” along the Edsa Busway until December 31, 2022.

"Ito pong paglagak natin ng additional funds ay suporta natin sa hangad ni President Marcos na i-extend and programang Libreng Sakay ng Department of Transportation at ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board hanggang Disyembre," Pangandaman said.

(Our approval of the additional funds of our way of supporting President Marcos’ aim to extend the Libreng Sakay of the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board until December.)

The Libreng Sakay was supposed to end on July 31, but Marcos announced earlier its extension until end of this year.

Pangandaman admitted that the Libreng Sakay is big help to commuters, especially the students and workers.

“This will support up to 50 million ridership from September 1 until December 31,” she said.

She added that the release of the additional funds will benefit around 628 units of onboarded public utility buses (PUBs) on the Edsa Busway Route in Metro Manila.

"Magiging malaking tulong po ito sa kabuhayan ng mga driver ng Edsa Busway na hanggang ngayon ay bumabangon mula sa epekto ng pandemya, at apektado sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina," Pangandaman said.

(This will benefit the drivers plying the Edsa Busway Route who are still recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising prices of fuel.)

The Service contracting Program provides financial support to transport service providers through performance-based payouts. It was conceived to ensure efficient and safe operations of public transportation under the new normal condition for the benefit of the commuters, especially for students and the labor force traversing the Edsa route. (LMY/PR)