MMDA eyes carpooling to reduce fuel use

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March 28, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — To help people cope with rising costs and reduce the consumption of fuel, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has proposed a carpooling and shuttle service scheme to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Both the MMDA and LTFRB have agreed to draft the guidelines to implement the scheme and to meet with the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office and Highway Patrol Group on Monday to finalize the measure.

MMDA Chairman Don Artes said carpooling would help ease daily commuting, lower fuel consumption and contribute to overall traffic decongestion and fuel efficiency in Metro Manila aside from promoting ride-sharing, reducing private vehicles on the road and supporting workforce mobility.

Artes requested the LTFRB to issue special permits to allow private vehicles, including those without franchise, to operate as shuttle services.

“We propose that the permits be processed under streamlined and simplified procedures, with minimum requirements to facilitate the immediate deployment of shuttle services,” Artes said, adding that the permit would be limited to employee transport and should be non-profit.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno met with 22 jeepney operators’ and drivers’ associations for the city government’s plan to offer the public free ride services starting next week.

“I will borrow the operator’s jeep and the driver’s time so we can serve the public. Then, everyday I will pay you P3,000,” Moreno said during the meeting. “The operator earns, the driver earns. Gas stations and businesses in Manila also earn. Most importantly, our passengers won’t have to pay anything.”

At least 1,400 jeepneys plying Manila routes will participate in the program.

DSWD special payout

After some drivers complained of being left out in the Department of Social Welfare and Development distribution of the P5,000 cash assistance this week, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured the sector of a special payout after the discrepancies in the list are sorted out.

“Supposedly, the list… should be clean already. But it turned out in the TNVS payout on Tuesday that many drivers were angered because they were not included in the list,” Gatchalian said, referring to the transport network vehicle service.

Gatchalian emphasized the need for the TNVS sector to submit a complete and accurate list of all drivers, including those classified as temporary, to ensure that no one is left behind. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Jose Rodel Clapano