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DOTr to continue tie-up with OVP to fund ‘Libreng Sakay’
FILE: Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista lead the simultaneous launching of OVP Libreng Sakay at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Wednesday. (Photo: Philippine News Agency/Facebook)
In a statement on Wednesday, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the free ride program provided “transport relief” during the pandemic but its long-term viability cannot be argued due to constraints in the national budget.
“We recognize that budget allocation for ‘Libreng Sakay’ is within the prerogative of DBM (Department of Budget and Management) in accordance with government’s fiscal priorities and with due approval from Congress,” Bautista said.
However, the DOTr chief said he is “more than willing” to collaborate with the OVP to continue its free ride program launched on August 3 with five buses to help commuters in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
On Tuesday, DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor said the DOTr has proposed a PHP778 million budget for public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization in 2023 — which includes funding for the free ride program — but the proposal was rejected by the DBM.
On the other hand, the OVP has allotted PHP32.5 million for its free ride program.
Cecille Moreno
September 15, 2022 at 3:05 PM
It needs careful study in how the budget will be used,but surely our kababayans,will surely be overjoyed if this will be implemented.With the rising prices of petroleum products,a free ride would certainly expand the budget of our people.