Marcos Jr. Admin Urged to Continue ‘Libreng Sakay’ Program Until December

The incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is urged to continue the outgoing administration’s “Libreng Sakay” Free Transport program until December of this year.

The calling for the continuation of the program is for the ease of the negative impact that the transportation industry and commuters are experiencing daily due to the rising price of fuel.

According to Camarines Sur Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte, transportation costs contribute to the inflation rate of the country, and various jeepney and bus operators along with transport network vehicle services (TNVS) are already petitioning to increase fares.

Villafuerte said in a statement that the Libreng Sakay program will help shoulder the burden of the public.

“The Libreng Sakay would prove to be a big help in cushioning the impact of the fuel price shock on the commuting public,” the congressman said.

Villafuerte also added that the inflation rate of 4.9 percent in May was largely in part due to the transport index increase of 14.6 percent.

However, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Executive Director Kristina Cassion said that the budget for the Libreng Sakay program which amounts to PHP7 billion is now almost spent fully, as 80 percent of the budget has already been exhausted.

Moreover, Cassion added that the budget will be fully used in the coming days as more public utility vehicles (PUV) are enrolled to be part of the program.

However, Cassion added that the LTFRB would have liked to continue the program until December if not for the exhaustion of funds. (GFB)