A teachers’ association and a transport group on Tuesday, March 31, separately voiced support for Manila’s free jeepney ride program, with both calling on the national government to adopt a similar initiative as fuel prices continue to squeeze commuters and drivers across the country.
The Manila Public School Teachers Association (MPSTA) lauded the initiative, calling it immediate and much-needed relief for drivers, operators, and commuters, including those coming from outside Manila.
The program, implemented under Executive Order No. 14 series of 2026, covers 1,442 active jeepneys plying 22 routes across the city and targets more than 100,000 passengers daily.
The MPSTA said the program was consistent with the leadership Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso had shown during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the city provided learners’ tablets, teachers’ laptops, a one-time ₱5,000 economic relief assistance in 2020, and a dedicated vaccination program for Manila public school personnel in 2021.
“This proactive response of Mayor Isko is reminiscent of the pro-people and inclusive response of the City Government of Manila through his leadership to the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the MPSTA said.
The teachers’ group closed with a direct appeal to the national government.
“MPSTA calls on the national government to glean lessons from the pro-people and inclusive response of the City Government of Manila amidst the worsening energy crisis,” it said.
Transport group MANIBELA separately expressed strong support for the program, with chairperson Mar Valbuena calling for its expansion beyond Manila.
“Nanawagan na po tayo na i-roll out na itong libreng sakay na ito. Malaking tulong po talaga ito at mababayaran kami at least kada linggo,” he said.
Under the Manila program, drivers receive ₱3,000 to provide free rides to passengers across the covered periods of March 30 to 31 and April 6 to 8.
On Tuesday, March 31, Domagoso announced an additional ₱500 on top of the original subsidy, bringing the total daily guaranteed income for drivers to ₱3,500, funded by ₱661,000 in savings generated from the program’s first day of operations.
Valbuena said a one to two-month extension of a similar arrangement would be especially critical as the summer break approaches and student ridership — a major source of income for drivers — drops sharply.
“Kung mabibigyan po kami ng isa, dalawang buwan na ganitong klase ng programa, lalo po ngayong bakasyon at konti ang pasahero dahil wala nang pasok ang mga estudyante, malaking bagay po sana ito. Parang subsidized ang biyahe namin,” Valbuena said.
