The city government will extend its “Libreng Sakay” cash subsidy program for the public until May 31.
The extension was approved Friday in a special City Council session. Mayor Lucilo Bayron was authorized by the Council to use Supplemental Budget No. 1 amounting to P6 million for the purpose from the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO).
Under the program, selected jeepneys and multicabs designated by the city government will be offering free rides to the public until May 31.
All programs being adapted through the recent ordinance will be extended until May 31.
“This resolution [and program] be applied retroactively effectively on May 16 to 31,” City administrator Atty. Arnel Pedrosa said.
The amount is intended for the continuation of cash subsidy of P500 daily for multicab drivers and operators including daily gasoline subsidy of 12 liters.
Tricycles will also receive 2 liters of gasoline per day.
Majority floor leader Councilor Victor Oliveros said recently that around 500 multicabs and 6,000 franchised tricycles are qualified for the subsidy.
Oliveros said that subsidy is designed to encourage public utility vehicles to observe physical distancing in accommodating passengers, in effect limiting their number to allow for distance.
“Ito ay para maibalik ang mga activities sa ating lungsod pero kasama sa protocols ng GCQ ay social distancing at isa sa epekto nito ay konti ang pasahero ng transport sector,” Oliveros said.
On the free rides, Oliveros said there will be an estimated 100 jeepneys and multicabs that will be marked specifically to offer free rides to the public.
Earlier, a separate ordinance also approved for the application of special rates for tricycles during the ECQ period.
Councilor Peter Maristela, the measure’s author, said the temporary rate will increase from P10 to P20 for the first two kilometers.
“[Ang regular kasi ay] P10 for every first two kilometers at ngayon ay payagan na maging P20 kasi ang pinapayagan ngayon ay isa lang na pasahero. Kung regular fare lang ay medyo maliit pero palagay ko ay hindi naman ganon kalugi kasi mabilis ang pila kung tag isa na lang ang pasahero. Ang i-allow lang natin ay ‘yon lamang first two kilometers lalo na may subsidy naman sila from the city,” he said.
The special fare will be valid until the Department of Transportation (DOTr) lifts the one passenger, one tricycle policy in accordance with the social distancing.
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