ON MY WAY TO SM North yesterday, I was stunned to see numerous Novaliches-bound buses just parked in front of S &R Shopping along Congressional Avenue approaching EDSA Munoz, all bearing the placard service contracting project, but all without any passengers.
I thought I could ride one going to my destination only to be told they were not going anywhere, just parked apparently waiting for someone to deliver information about the project, which unfortunately ended yesterday.
By my estimate there were 8 to 10 buses parked there – 10 less buses to ferry commuters to their destination.
The SCP was concocted by the Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board as a palliative for operators/drivers of public utility vehicles (buses, jeepneys and TNVs) through a fixed income system per kilometer travelled and to reduce the fares of commuters.
It was such a brilliant idea– but as to whether the implementation was done with utmost sincerity, transparency and sincerity– only the participants and the LTFRB can answer to the citizenry.
It was truly short-lived (from April 15 to May 22 or just 37 days in all), designed to appease a restive nation– from the political squabbles, the impeachment uncertainties, the high cost of living and deteriorating peso and Philippine economy and the flood control mess that up to now is burning in the hearts of Filipinos who are demanding transparency, accountability and justice for the victims of such scandals.
The SCP was also in response to the ongoing war between Iran and the (US aided) Israel and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz that aggravated global uncertainties in oil supplies and made it difficult for the nations, especially the Philippines, to address food security and production input instability.
It was truly a good project– perhaps it could be done for a year– but of course budgetary constraints cut it short.
The SCP was given funding from the national budget P1 billion or P800 million for the road transport systems (under LTFRB) and P200 million for the maritime transport (those under the MARINA).
The land-based SCP ends tomorrow, May 22 and all onboarded beneficiaries must cease and discontinue all activities related to the implementation of the program under the expiration of the date and time, the LTFRB memo stated.
The LBSCP – which began in April – grants 20% discount to all regular passengers and 40% discount to students, senior citizens, and persons with disability to help them amid the rising fuel prices.
The LTFRB earlier approved 141,724 units of passenger jeepneys and UV Express for the government’s fuel subsidy discount where “based on the approved guideline, participating gas stations will be connected to the database of the national government through a mobile app that will list the qualified beneficiaries of the program.”
“Only PUVs with existing and valid franchises will be included in the database for a 150-liter ceiling every week for each of the PUV units,” it added.
“Once the license plate was confirmed to be enrolled in the program, the discount will automatically apply which means that the driver will just pay the discounted price per visit to the gas station.”
But the LBSCP is another program, kicked off on April 15 which LTFRB considered a bold initiative that puts money directly in the pockets of drivers while cutting costs for everyday commuters.
The LBSCP is a subsidy program where the national government pays public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers a set amount per kilometer traveled, so they earn a guaranteed income whether their jeepney, bus, or UV Express is full or not.
In exchange, passengers get a 20% fare discount on top of existing discounts already enjoyed by senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and students.
The program covered 1,000 transport operators nationwide; 50,000 PUV units, including modern jeepneys (PUJ), UV Express vans, city buses, and EDSA Carousel buses; and an estimated 15 million daily passengers.
GMA News said the government subsidy rate depends on the type of vehicle:
• EDSA Busway buses are given P100 per kilometer;
• Modern jeepneys and UV Express receive P40 per kilometer; while
• Traditional jeepneys get P30 per kilometer
Participating units will run five days a week and will display tarps, posters, and a fare matrix so passengers can easily see their discounted fare.
The LBSCP covers 823 routes along major thoroughfares nationwide, including 545 feeder routes in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
The LTFRB will be publishing the specific routes on its official social media pages.
Two monitoring systems are in place: a) GPS tracking on participating units and b) Manual monitoring by LTFRB, LTO, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The SCP is one component of the Marcos Jr. administration’s broader package of relief measures for Filipinos amid rising oil prices, which also includes, courtesy of DOTr:
• Fuel Subsidy Program for PUV drivers;
• Toll Discount Program;
• 50% fare discount on MRT-3 and LRT-2 for all passengers;
• Libreng Sakay Program with partner government agencies;
• Reduced airport fees and charges;
• Piso Ro-Ro Terminal Fee; and
• Fuel availability support for vessel operators.
The SCP reflects President Marcos Jr.’s commitment to protecting Filipino workers and commuters from the impact of global oil price volatility, keeping public transport running, ensuring drivers earn, and making the daily commute more affordable for millions of Filipinos, the PIA said.
STILL IT WAS SHORTLIVED.