ILOILO City – The national government’s “Libre Sakay” or free-ride offer on modern jeepneys is set to end this June 30.
However, the program may be extended, according to Director Richard Osmeña of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Region 6.
Since April 19 this year, around 200 modernized jeepneys in this city and Iloilo province have been offering free rides under the Service Contracting Program (SCP) being implemented by the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
SCP a program under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) that aims to help the transport sector reeling from the coronavirus pandemic. It is open to drivers of modernized jeeps, traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) and passenger buses that are plying active routes.
In Memorandum Circular No. 2021-029, drivers and/or operators of modern PUJs plying Iloilo City routes receive from the national government a subsidy of P52.50 per kilometer while those of provincial modernized jeepneys, P82.50. To determine their travel length, Global Positioning System (GPS)-capable mobile phones are attached to their vehicles.
Among the routes of modernized jeepneys for the free rides are Iloilo City, San Joaquin, San Miguel, and Cabatuan.
GOOD NEWS
Raymundo “Boyet” Parcon, president of the Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA), said it would be “good news” should the program be extend.
Drivers of traditional jeepneys are also getting P27 subsidy per kilometer under the program. However, drivers and operators in Iloilo City opted not to participate in the “Libre Sakay” scheme.
Parcon said the subsidy that drivers and operators would be getting from the program is an added income.
Previously, many drivers clamored that the “Libre Sakay” hurt their income as most commuters opt to avail themselves of free rides.
There also came a point when drivers of modernized jeepneys were reportedly harassed or threatened by drivers of the traditional ones.
But these were settled already, said Parcon.
Among others, they agreed that modernized jeepneys won’t pick up passengers along the road if there are traditional ones around./PN
