DBM OKs P1.4-B additional funds for Libreng Sakay program

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has approved the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and the Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) amounting to P1.4 billion, which will cover the additional funds needed for the extended "Libreng Sakay" program.

"Ito pong paglagak natin ng additional funds ay suporta natin sa hangad ni President Marcos na i-extend ang programang Libreng Sakay ng Department of Transportation at ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board hanggang Disyembre," Pangandaman said in a press release issued Tuesday.

(The allotment of additional funds is in support of President Marcos' decision to extend the Libreng Sakay program of the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board until December.)

"Malaking tulong at ginhawa po ang Libreng Sakay sa bulsa ng mga commuter, lalo na para sa mga estudyante at mga kabilang sa labor force. This will support up to 50-million ridership from September 1 until December 31," she added.

(This is a huge help to our commuters especially to students and to those from the labor force.)

According to the DBM, it released the additional funds last August 9, Tuesday.

Pangandaman said the release of additional funds for the program would benefit around 628 units of onboarded public utility buses along the EDSA Busway Route in Metro Manila.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. decided to extend the free rides at the EDSA Bus Carousel, along with free rides for students on rail lines in Metro Manila.

According to the Department of Transportation, the free EDSA Carousel bus rides will be extended until December of this year.

It said the move would “ease the burden of rising living expenses on Filipino families and help them save money, especially with the return of face-to-face classes after more than two years.” —KG, GMA News