LTFRB seeks P 3-B budget for ‘Libreng Sakay’ program

DOTR Libreng Sakay. Image from DOTr Facebook page

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday said it requested P3 billion from the national government to fund the resumption of the service contracting program that would benefit drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) whose routes were affected by the imposition of community quarantines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program, popularly known as “Libreng Sakay (Free Ride),” will initially benefit public utility buses and jeepneys in the provinces unable to ply their regular routes to and from Metro Manila and other areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), LTFRB chair Martin Delgra said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

Delgra said the board had been talking with the Department of Budget and Management for the release of the P3-billion funds.

He said the program would benefit drivers and operators and would last until the end of the year.