Commuters are set to continue to avail free rides in the EDSA Busway system, as P1.285 billion has been provided to the government’s Service Contracting Program under the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) budget this year, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said yesterday.
This is pursuant to Republic Act No. 11936 or the 2023 General Appropriations Act.
“We have a budget for the Service Contracting Program under the 2023 General Appropriations Act. The government has allocated P1.285 billion to continue the program this year,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
The program, which gives way to the continuation of the “Libreng Sakay”, provides free bus rides for the public, including the bus commuters along EDSA.
“We understand the plight of our commuting public. And so President Marcos gave us a directive to do our part, and to exert our best to help ease their burden. The Service Contracting Program, which funds Libreng Sakay, is a big help,” Pangandaman said.
Libreng Sakay is a joint program of the DOTr and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to help commuters amid rising prices of commodities and services.
As of Dec. 27, 2022, the LTFRB recorded a total of 164,966,373 passengers who have availed of the Libreng Sakay program on EDSA in the preceding year.
As the implementing agency, it is up to the DOTr to identify the scope of the program, the DBM said.
“They have the option to spread or limit its coverage, based on the results of their study,” said Goddess Libiran, budget undersecretary.
