Senator Angara: “The Libreng Sakay program has benefited hundreds of thousands of our commuters”
ANGARA – Senator Juan Edgardo ‘’Sonny’’ Angara said that the “Libreng Sakay” program will continue in 2023 as it has benefitted commuters since the start of the pandemic.
Senator Angara noted that the public utility vehicle (PUV) service contracting program or the “Libreng Sakay” program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) was initially not funded under the National Expenditure Program (NEP, or the version of the 2023 national budget) that was submitted to Congress by Malacañang earlier this year.
The senator, who is the Senate Finance Committee chairman, clarified that a substantial amount was included by Congress under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA, or the national budget for year 2023) in order to ensure the continuous implementation of the said program.
Under the 2023 General Appropriations Act, a total of PHP 2.16 billion was allocated for the PUV service contracting program, through the initiative of Congress. The allocation includes the PHP 1.285 billion in programmed appropriations and another PHP 875 million lodged under the unprogrammed appropriations.
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The senator also pointed out that the said program has become one of the more impactful initiatives of the Philippine government during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“The Libreng Sakay program has benefited hundreds of thousands of our commuters, who have been clamoring for its continuation as a way to ease their burden from the rising costs of fuel and basic goods and commodities,” the senator said. “These days every peso counts and whatever little savings that could be realized is highly appreciated.”
According to a report, more people patronized the Libreng Sakay service — including students and other members of the labor force — when the lockdowns were lifted in the country.
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