The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday announced that a total of PHP 1.4 billion funds have been released for the extension of the "Libreng Sakay" program of the national government at the EDSA Busway.
In a statement, the DBM said the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) was released on August 9, Tuesday.
"Ito pong paglagak natin ng additional funds ay suporta natin sa hangad ni President Marcos na i-extend and programang Libreng Sakay ng Department of Transportation at ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board hanggang Disyembre," said DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.
"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. This will support up to 50-million ridership from September 1 until December 31," she added.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. earlier extended the free ride program at the EDSA Bus Carousel, along with free rides for students on rail lines in Metro Manila.
The free EDSA Carousel bus rides will be extended until December of this year, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).