Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos on Monday expressed her support for the government’s possible revival of its Libreng Sakay program to help commuters amid an impending fare hike due to the rising prices of oil.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said earlier that he had asked road sector officials to use the PHP1-billion allocation in the 2026 General Appropriations Act for the Service Contracting Program (SCP).

Through the SCP, the agency may sign contracting deals with PUV cooperatives and operators for the delivery of transport services.

“The revival of the Libreng Sakay program will benefit vulnerable sectors such as students and daily wage earners. I hope that the government pushes through with it for the sake of the commuting public,” Bernos said in a statement.

“Sa harap ng ganitong mga krisis, nararapat lamang na salagin ng pamahalaan ang mabigat na epekto upang maibsan ang alalahanin ng mga kababayan natin (The government needs to ward off the severe effects of this crisis to ease the concerns of the people),” she added.

Bernos urged the DOTr to study the possibility of expanding the Libreng Sakay program beyond the Edsa Busway so that more Filipinos could be served.

She also called on local government units with greater resources to explore SCP arrangements with their local transport providers.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is expected to give its recommendation for a fare increase this week. (PNA)