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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider LTFRB: ₱3-B for 'Libreng Sakay' program won't last until yearend

LTFRB: ₱3-B for 'Libreng Sakay' program won't last until yearend

Published Jul 7, 2021 07:49 pm

Even as the budget department released funds to continue the government's service contracting program, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said ₱3 billion will not be enough to sustain the program that gives free rides for essential workers and commuters.

Commuters in Philcoa, Quezon City are forced to wait in line after public utility vehicles (PUVs) were only allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity during the implementation of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR)-plus bubble. (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN File Photo)

LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III said Wednesday, July 7, that the amount would only cover the service contracting program for three to four months.

"If the spending for the last two months will have bearing, 'yong ₱3 billion po hindi aabot ng December 31 (the ₱3 billion will not last until December 31 of this year)," Delgra said at the continuation of the Senate trade committee's inquiry on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to small businesses and sectors.

The LTFRB has temporarily suspended the service contracting program, and in effect, the "Libreng Sakay", while waiting for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release of the ₱3-billion funding for the same program under the 2021 budget.

This, after the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 expired last June 30, forcing unobligated appropriations to be reverted to the national treasury.

In the LTFRB' s report to the Senate trade panel, some ₱2.17 billion of the ₱5.58-billion Bayanihan 2 appropriation for service contracting were obligated as June 30.

Of the obligated funds, ₱1.9 billion had been disbursed or released to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators. This was about 34 percent of the total allocation under the Bayanihan 2.

Delgra noted they are still accepting more drivers into the program for the resumption of the program once the DBM has released the 2021 budget appropriation.

For this reason, Senator Francis Pangilinan reiterated his call for the extension of the validity of the Bayanihan 2, to augment the government's funds for the service contracting program and prolong the free rides for Filipino commuters.

"Pinakamaganda sana meron ka nang ₱3 billion meron ka pang ₱3.5 billion on top of that para tuloy-tuloy at di na poproblemahin (It would be best if you have the ₱3 billion and the ₱3.5 billion Bayanihan 2 balance on top of that so the program not be hampered and we won't anymore worry about funding)," Pangilinan told the LTFRB.

"Ideally, dapat magamit 'yong na revert, kakailanganin talaga (the reverted funds are really necessary and must be used) for this year, so an extension, if possible will precisely address that.)" he added.

Delgra said the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB would support efforts to extend the Bayanihan 2 law.

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Martin Delgra III free rides LTFRB SERVICE CONTRACTING Libreng Sakay
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