By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of Transportation’s service contracting program (SCP) has been indefinitely suspended beginning Thursday (July 1) while its continued funding is negotiated under the new 2021 budget.
The service, which includes the “Libreng Sakay” program, will be suspended as it is funded under the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act” which effectively ended Wednesday, June 30, The DOTr and its attached agency the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Ito ‘ho ay sa kadahilanang ang pondo na ginagamit pambayad sa mga tsuper at operator na kasali sa SCP at Libreng Sakay Program ay nagmumula sa Bayanihan to Recover as One Act,” the DOTr-LTFRB said.
Seeing as both programs have been a big help to the public, its continued funding will be sought under Republic Act No. 11518 or the General Appropriations Act of (GAA) 2021.
“Makaaasa ang ating mga kababayan na gagawin ng DOTr at LTFRB ang lahat ng aming makakaya upang maipagpatuloy muli, sa lalong madaling panahon, ang programa,” the DOTr-LTFRB said.
In the meantime, the LTFRB will continue the distribution of payout and incentives for drivers and operators who have yet to receive their dues.
As of today, around P1.5 billion has been distributed so far to drivers and operators under the program.
Around 19,000 drivers have received their initial payout while another 8,347 drivers have received their P20,000 to P25,000 incentives all over the country.
From March 29 until June 28, a total of 27.9 million free rides have been provided to the public under the program. – jlo
