A total of 1,805,564 free rides have so far been given to health workers and other authorized persons outside of residence (APORs) throughout the country through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Service Contracting Program (SCP).

In a Facebook post on Monday, the LTFRB said the number covers the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4-A, Region 4-B, Region 6, Region 7, Region 8, Region 9, Region 10, Region 11, the Caraga Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region.

The “Libreng Sakay” under the LTFRB’s SCP began on Sept. 13, a few days after the start of SCP that offers cash incentives to drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUV).

It said the free ride program is a directive of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade to help health workers and other frontline workers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

By next week, it said the free ride program is expected to expand to other parts of the country.

“Naniniwala si Secretary Tugade na malaking tulong ang dagdag na kita ng mga drayber, gayundin ang pamasaheng matitipid ng mga commuter (Secretary Tugade believes that is a big help to provide additional income to drivers, as well as free fare for commuters),” the LTFRB said.

On the other hand, the SCP program — funded under the General Appropriations Act of 2021 — is meant to encourage and support the public transportation industry by providing additional income to drivers and operators.

“Sa pamamagitan naman ng SCP nabibigyan ng insentibo ang mga drayber at operator base sa bilang ng kanilang nakumpletong biyahe kada linggo, may sakay man silang pasahero o wala (Under the SCP, drivers and operators will be given incentives based on the number of trips they have completed whether they have passengers or otherwise),” the LTFRB said. (PNA)