Marcos inspects service contracting program in QC

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday inspected the implementation of the service contracting program at the Araneta City Bus Station in Cubao, Quezon City.

''Ito, para ulit, hindi magiging mabigat – hindi magiging mas mabigat ang pagbayad ng pamasahe para sa mga pasahero. At – so, both sides ang ginagawa natin. ‘Yung mga operator, ‘yung mga driver, pati na ‘yung mga pasahero,'' Marcos said in an interview.

(This is to ensure that we ease the burden of passengers and drivers.) 

''At ito'y patuloy naming gagawin at tuloy-tuloy lang namin gagawin hangga’t nandyan at pataas ang presyo ng langis... patuloy ang tulong ng mga pamahalaan,'' he added. 

(We will continue to do this amid the increase in fuel prices... the government will continue to provide assistance.)

 The service contracting program will run for two to three weeks.

Under the program, the government will pay drivers based on distance traveled: P30 per kilometer for traditional jeepneys, P40 per kilometer for modern jeepneys, and P100 per kilometer for buses.

Contracted drivers will ply over 800 high-density routes nationwide, with 545 routes located in Metro Manila and nearby provinces including Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

Led by the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), this program aims to help public transport operators continue operating while providing fare discounts and improved services to commuters amid the Middle East crisis. — RSJ, GMA News