Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos expressed her support for the possible revival of the government’s Libreng Sakay program to help commuters amid an impending fare hike due to the rising prices of oil.
“The revival of the Libreng Sakay program will benefit vulnerable sectors such as students and daily wage earners. I hope that the government pushes through with it for the sake of the commuting public,” Bernos said.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez this week said he has asked road sector officials to use the P1-billion allocation in the 2026 General Appropriations Act for the Service Contracting Program.
Through the SCP, the agency may sign contracting deals with PUV cooperatives and operators for the delivery of transport services.
Bernos urged the DoTR to study the possibility of expanding the Libreng Sakay program beyond the Edsa Busway so that more Filipinos could be served. Around 183,000 commuters benefited from the program last year, according to DoTR.
She also called on local government units with greater resources to also explore SCP arrangements with their local transport providers.
“Sa harap ng ganitong mga krisis, nararapat lamang na salagin ng pamahalaan ang mabigat na epekto upang maibsan ang alalahanin ng mga kababayan natin,” the lawmaker said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is expected to come out with its recommendation for a fare increase this week.
