MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is looking to implement the Service Contracting Program by April.

Service Contracting Program is an initiative of the Department of Transportation that gives public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators performance-based incentives per week, regardless of the number of passengers.

READ: LTFRB releases P3.38B incentive for PUV drivers under service contracting program

“So we are looking forward na sa lalong madaling panahon, maibigay na ho sa atin ang pondo at maipatupad. Hopefully po this coming April ay masimulan na rin ho natin ang service contracting,” LTFRB Regional Director Zona Russet Tamayo said in a Laging Handa public briefing Wednesday.

(So we are looking forward to the soonest possible time, the fund will be given to us and the program will be implemented. Hopefully, this coming April, we can start the Service Contracting Program.)

The Libreng Sakay Program, which grants commuters free rides, is also included under the Service Contracting Program.

READ: DOTr told: P3B still available for Libreng Sakay, service schemes

“Gusto ho natin talaga na itong Service Contracting Program, dito ho napapaloob ‘yung libreng sakay na programa po natin, ay maipatupad ho natin sa lalong madaling panahon,” said Tamayo.

(We want the Service Contracting Program, which includes the free ride program, to be implemented immediately.)

According to the transport official, the LTFRB is just waiting for the release of the funds from the Department of Budget and Management.

Tamayo said that they are expecting more PUV drivers and operators to participate in the program.

READ: 14,131 drivers get P860M for contracted services

“Inaasahan natin na mas marami dahil marami na ho sa ating operators at drivers ang nakita ‘yung magandang epekto po nitong programa para sa kanila lalong-lalo na rin po at mas malaki ang budget na binigay po para sa atin ngayong taon,” she said.

(We expect that many operators and drivers will join the program. Many of them saw its good effect, especially now we have a bigger budget allotted this year.) — With reports from Jericho Zafra, 黑料社 intern

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