President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public of continued government support amid high fuel prices as he inspected the Department of Transportation’s Service Contracting Program in Quezon City on Monday. The program compensates public utility vehicle operators per kilometer traveled, regardless of passenger count.
At the Araneta Center Bus Terminal in Cubao, Marcos boarded electronic jeepneys enrolled in the program and checked tarpaulins and fare matrices displaying a 20 percent fare discount for commuters, up to 40 percent for students, seniors and persons with disabilities.
“We will continue to do this as long as the price of oil remains high… the government’s assistance continues,” Marcos said.
DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez, LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II and former senator Mar Roxas joined him.
The program, launched on April 15, is funded with P800 million from the 2026 General Appropriations Act for about 14 days. The DOTr is seeking an additional P5 billion to extend it until July, covering 823 routes nationwide including the EDSA Carousel and feeder routes in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.
The government has also provided a P10 per liter diesel discount for public utility vehicles. The Presidential Communications Office said more than 1,300 transport network vehicle service drivers received P5,000 each at the QC Elevated Promenade on Monday.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian stated the agency has assisted nearly one million drivers nationwide with total aid of about P5 billion.
