The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking for an additional PHP1.4 billion to fund until the end of the year the “Libreng Sakay” (free ride) program for the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) bus carousel route.

In a Laging Handa briefing on Monday, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the current budget for the free ride is not enough if it would be extended until December 31.

“Kung kelangan ituloy (If we need to extend it) until December 31, we will ask for additional budget from the DBM [Department of Budget and Management]. Hihingi kaming tulong sa presidente para magkaroon ng ganyang budget sa DOTr (We will ask for assistance from the president to receive such budget at the DOTr),” Bautista said.

A day after assuming office, on July 1, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. approved the extension of the free ride program on Edsa carousel and free rides for students in the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit-2, and Philippine National Railways.

The move is seen to “ease the burden of rising living expenses on Filipino families and help them save money” amid the skyrocketing prices of fuel and basic commodities.

Similar to his surprise inspection of the MRT-3 and some line agencies of the DOTr, Bautista bared plans to tap other modes of public transport with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Cheloy Garafil to get a first-hand experience of taking public transport these days.

“Kaninang umaga kausap ko ang chairman ng LTFRB at sinabi ko sa kanya, tayong dalawa let’s try riding the bus and the jeep and sabi niya, game daw siya (This morning I spoke with the LTFRB chair and I told her, let’s try riding the bus and the jeep and she said she’s up for it),” he said.

Bautista earlier said the country’s transportation system would be transformed and elevated to global standards under the Marcos administration.

To do this, Bautista said the department would study and implement global standards in the air, maritime, rail, and road transport sectors by adopting the industry’s best practices.

“Pag-aaralan natin ano ginagawa ng mga bansa na successful in implementing their transport programs and we will adopt ‘yung mga programs nila na talaga namang nag-benefit ang mga passenger (We will study the countries that have been successful at implementing their transport programs and we will adopt those that benefit passengers),” he said.

He called on the riding public to help the Marcos administration by following the rules of transport and to bring feedback to the proper authorities.

“Ang mga solusyon sa mga problema ay hindi namin lahat maiiisip pero kung magsasabi kayo ng suggestions and recommendations, matutulungan niyo kami ma-solve ang mga problema na ito (We won’t be able to find the solution to all programs but if you can give us suggestions and recommendations, you’ll be able to help us solve these problems),” he said.

Prior to the start of the Marcos administration on July 1, the Edsa free ride program was extended until July 31.

The program was funded through the LTFRB’s Service Contracting Phase 3 which ended on June 30. (PNA)