By Brian Campued
Following the end of the Service Contracting Program (SCP) for land-based public utility vehicles (PUV) last week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Monday officially launched a sea-based net SCP to help shipping companies and ferry passengers amid soaring operating costs driven by the global oil crisis.
Under the “Lakbay Alalay ng Gobyerno” or “Layag” program, fare increases of participating shipping line operators will be subsidized by the government to keep fare charges low.
With a budget of P200 million, the Layag program covers 11 high-demand, short-trip sea routes across the country, namely: Batangas – Puerto Galera; Batangas – Calapan; Jordan Wharf, Guimaras – Parola Wharf, Iloilo City; Buenavista Wharf, Guimaras – Parola Wharf, Iloilo City; Sta. Rosa, Olango Island – Angasil, Brgy. Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City; Liloan, Santander, Cebu – Sibulan, Negros Oriental; Zamboanga City – Basilan; Sta. Cruz, Talicud Island – Poblacion Kaputian (IGACOS); Surigao City, Surigao del Norte – San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands; Socorro, Surigao del Norte – Hayanggabon, Surigao del Norte; and Socorro, Surigao del Norte – Dapa, Surigao del Norte.
MARINA said approximately 33 shipping operators supporting 93 passenger vessels operating along the abovementioned routes will be participating in the program.
According to the DOTr, the Layag initiative is expected to benefit an estimated 1.16 million passengers per day over a 12-day period through fare discounts of up to P195, depending on the route.
Transportation Senior Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor stressed that through the program, shipping lines would be able to continue maintaining inter-island connectivity, especially for passengers trying to save on transportation expenses.
“Ang direktiba sa atin ni Secretary Banoy Lopez ay dapat nating matiyak na protektado ang ating mga mananakay mula sa epekto ng mataas na presyo ng petrolyo,” Pastor said during the program launch at the Batangas Port Passenger Terminal.
MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan, for her part, expressed hope that the program would ease the burden on daily commuters as well as the maritime sector, which remains among the industries hardest hit by the oil crisis.
The SCP for both land- and sea-based transport vehicles form part of the continued government efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
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