Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso announced Tuesday morning, March 31, that the city government is increasing its subsidy for participating jeepney drivers from ₱3,000 to ₱3,500, funded by ₱661,000 in savings generated from the program’s first day of operations on Monday.
The Mayor said the additional ₱500 per driver per day was a direct response to a ₱12 increase in fuel prices recorded on Monday, which threatened to erode the guaranteed income the city had committed to drivers under the “Libreng Sakay” program.
“Simula sa araw na ito, malugod ko pong ia-announce na ‘yung savings nating P661,000 kahapon ay idadagdag natin ngayong araw na ito,” Domagoso said in a public address.
“Mga driver, dadagdagan ko po ng 500 pesos ang bawat araw ninyo upang sa ganoon, ‘yung pagtaas ng presyo ng dose pesos kahapon ng krudo ay ma-offset ngayong araw na ito at sa mga darating pang araw,” he added.
The increased subsidy of ₱3,500 will apply for the remaining days of the program — Tuesday, March 31, and the following Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week.
“Ang total, from 3,000 pesos na halaga na pinagkakaloob sa inyo ng Siyudad ng Maynila from our taxpayers’ money, ay magiging 3,500 na po,” the Mayor said.
The announcement came on the heels of a strong first-day showing for the program.
A total of 129,665 passengers were served on Monday, with 1,038 jeepneys participating across the city’s six districts.
The ₱661,000 in savings — rather than being returned to the city’s coffers — will be redistributed directly to drivers.
“Imbes na ilagay ko ulit ‘yan sa libreta ng gobyerno, o, sa palad niyo na lang bilang pagtugon sa pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo kahapon at sa mga darating na araw,” Domagoso said.
The Mayor closed his announcement with a note of cautious optimism, expressing hope that additional resources would come the city’s way in the days ahead.
“Cross fingers, loobin nawa ng Diyos, may dumating na biyaya sa Lungsod ng Maynila, at siya namang aking ipagkakaloob agad-agad sa inyo,” he said.
