The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday confirmed that the national government's 'Libreng Sakay' program on the EDSA Busway system will be returning soon after a PHP 1.285 billion has been set aside for this year’s Service Contracting program under the Department of Transportation’s 2023 budget.
"We understand the plight of our commuting public. And so President Bongbong Marcos gave us a directive to do our part, and to exert our best to help ease their burden," Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a statement.
“Whatever amount they [commuters] save daily, they can reallocate to more important needs such as budget for food, electricity, tuition fee, among others,” Pangandaman said.
However, the DBM is still preparing the necessary documents need for the formal release of the funds before the roll out begins.
The Service Contracting program, which gives way to the continuation of the Libreng Sakay, provides free bus rides for the public, including the bus commuters along EDSA.
Ended on December 31 after not being included in the reuquest for budget, the Libreng Sakay is a joint program of the DOTr and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to help commuters amid rising prices of commodities and services.
LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz earlier said Libreng Sakay would resume once the agency received the funding.
