Photo courtesy of PCO.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday visited the Araneta City Bus Station in Cubao, Quezon City to review the implementation of the government’s service contracting program for public transport operators.
He said the initiative was designed to reduce the burden on commuters and drivers amid rising fuel prices and to ensure continued mobility for the public.
Marcos stressed that the government was working to support both passengers and transport workers, noting that assistance measures were being maintained for as long as fuel prices remained high.
He said the program would continue as part of the government’s response to ongoing economic pressures, particularly the impact of oil price increases on transportation costs.
The service contracting program was set to run for two to three weeks, covering major transport routes nationwide.
Under the scheme, drivers were to be paid based on distance traveled, with rates set at P30 per kilometer for traditional jeepneys, P40 per kilometer for modern jeepneys, and P100 per kilometer for buses.
Authorities said more than 800 high-density routes were covered, including 545 routes in Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) led the program, which aimed to sustain public transport operations while providing fare support and improved services to commuters.