(Photo courtesy of Pambujan local government)
TACLOBAN CITY – The municipal government of Pambujan, Northern Samar, reported more than Php 74,000 in transportation savings for college students during the first full week of its free ride program, providing financial relief to students and their families.
In an update released Wednesday evening, the local government said its free transportation service recorded 1,033 student passenger boardings from October 25 to 31, generating an estimated Php 74,376 in fare savings.
The program incurred Php 36,000 in operating expenses during the same period, resulting in an estimated net benefit of Php 38,376.
Pambujan Mayor Owen Lamberto Siervo said the figures showed that every peso spent on operating the service generated approximately Php 2.07 in transportation savings for students.
“The program is expected to help ease the financial burden on parents and guardians, allowing families to allocate money otherwise spent on transportation to other essential needs, including food, school supplies, and daily allowances,” Siervo said.
The initiative was launched following the municipal government’s acquisition of two air-conditioned buses in October to provide free transportation for college students traveling between Pambujan and Catarman, the provincial capital.
The two municipalities are approximately 40 kilometers apart, making daily transportation expenses a significant consideration for students attending colleges in Catarman.
Through the free ride service, the local government aims to reduce commuting costs and help families redirect their limited resources toward food, educational materials and other daily necessities.
Municipal officials said they would continue monitoring passenger demand, bus utilization and operating expenses to ensure the program remains efficient and responsive to students’ transportation needs.
The initiative forms part of the local government’s efforts to improve access to education by addressing transportation expenses that may affect students’ ability to attend classes regularly.
Pambujan is a second-class coastal municipality in Northern Samar with a population of more than 34,000 residents.
The municipal government expects the program to continue providing financial assistance to student commuters and their families as implementation progresses.
