The Department of Budget and Management released ₱1.04 billion for free rides of EDSA carousel.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced it has released ₱1.4 billion in additional funds for free rides for until December on EDSA Carousel.
The Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and the Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) to cover the additional funding requirements for the extended implementation of the Service Contracting of Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Program were approved by the agency, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a press release.
"Ito pong paglagak natin ng additional funds ay suporta natin sa hangad ni President Marcos Jr. na i-extend ang programang Libreng Sakay ng Department of Transportation at ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board hanggang Disyembre,” she said.
On his first day in office, Marcos Jr. announced the continuation of the extended free bus program until December, which originally should have stopped by July 31, the last day of Duterte's presidency.
"Malaking tulong at ginhawa po ang Libreng Sakay sa bulsa ng mga commuter, lalo na para sa mga estudyante at mga kabilang sa labor force,” Pangandaman said.
From September 1 to December 31, the program will accommodate up to 50 million riders.
As it offers financial assistance to transportation service providers through performance-based payouts, it would also benefit the 628 units of public utility buses (PUBs) that are now affixed to 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," she said.
The free bus trip initiative was designed to make sure that public transit would run effectively and safely in the new normal.
At the moment, it aids in lessening the financial strain on commuters caused by the sharp increase in prices of products and services.
Tags: #DBM, #EDSAcarousel