President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. just approved the memorandum requesting the extension of free EDSA carousel bus rides and free train rides for students.
Through a memo, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that the free EDSA Carousel bus rides are now extended until December this year.
“Considering the availability of budget for Service Contracting under the General Appropriations of 2022, the undersigned recommends the continuation of the Libreng Sakay (Free Ride) program for all passengers of the Edsa Bus Carousel.”
The agency also said that Libreng Sakay for Students Program in Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit-2 (LRT-2), and Philippine National Railways (PNR) will be implemented.
“Considering the welfare of students, however, whose learning outcomes have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, the undersigned recommends implementing a Libreng Sakay for Students Program for the first quarter of School Year 2022-2023 or from 22 August 2022 to 04 November 2022.”
According to the agency, the extension of free EDSA carousel bus rides, together with the free train rides for students, will ease the burden of rising living expenses for Filipinos.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd), now under Vice-President Sara Duterte, said that more than 38,000 schools in the country are already set for the resumption of face-to-face classes for the school year 2022-2023.
