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Josiah Antonio - The Philippine Star
April 8, 2026 | 12:00am
Commuters in Ermita, Manila lined up along Agoncillo Street on April 6, 2026
STAR / Edd Gumban
MANILA, Philippines — Commuters in Metro Manila can expect free rides as the service contracting program for public utility vehicles (PUVs) will begin on April 15.
Modern and traditional jeepneys passing through railways and major transport hubs and EDSA Carousel buses are covered by the program.
In other urban areas, such as Davao City and Cagayan de Oro, covered routes are based on passenger traffic and other factors, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said yesterday.
“Areas of operations of service contracting for land-based public transportation was based on data analysis on commuter traffic volume and interconnectivity to the mass transport system,” LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza II said.
“These routes were prioritized as they support connectivity to rail transport systems, serve high passenger demand corridors, improve overall commuter mobility and help reduce traffic congestion in key areas,” he added.
Selected routes maximize the impact of limited funding, support high-ridership corridors and ensure service continuity in major urban areas outside Metro Manila, Mendoza said.
Around P1 billion from the national budget has been allotted for the program.
Amid soaring fuel prices, almost P1 billion in fuel subsidies has been distributed and PUVs are paying reduced tolls at major expressways.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has raised to P4,000 the daily pay of PUVs participating in the city’s free fare program, which will be implemented until today.
Cash aid
After the transport sector, other sectors that will receive cash aid have not been identified yet by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
At yesterday’s Senate hearing, Sen. Erwin Tulfo noted that minimum wage earners are reeling from the escalating fuel crisis.
“We have yet to discuss the next sector that will receive aid,” DSWD Undersecretary Fatima Aliah Dimaporo said.
The Department of Budget and Management has assured the committee that the government has enough standby funds to replenish the DSWD and Department of Labor and Employment’s funds in the event of natural disasters.
DA fuel subsidy
Meanwhile, farmers and fisherfolk will start to receive fuel subsidy this month.
The P100-million fuel subsidy program will provide P5,000 each to 14,400 farmers and P3,000 each to 15,669 fisherfolk with motorized boats, the Department of Agriculture said at yesterday’s Senate hearing.
The P10-billion Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fishermen fund will provide P2,325 each to 4.17 million farmers and fisherfolk.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. will request the release of P7 billion from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, providing P3,200 each to rice farmers. — Neil Jayson Servallos, Marc Jayson Cayabyab
