The government will begin distributing P1.28 billion in additional financial assistance to transport workers starting April 6, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Tuesday.
In a televised address, the President said more than 256,000 transport workers in Metro Manila will each receive P5,000 in cash aid, as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising costs on the sector.
Marcos also highlighted earlier measures aimed at easing the burden on commuters and transport operators. These include a 50-percent fare discount on LRT-2 and MRT-3, which has benefited over 12 million passengers to date.
Free ride programs, or “Libreng Sakay,” remain in effect across Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, he added.
To support logistics and food supply chains, the government is also extending temporary toll discounts for jeepneys, buses, and freight vehicles transporting agricultural goods along major expressways, including North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, and STAR Tollway.
Further relief is set to take effect on April 15, when ports begin charging a nominal P1 roll-on/roll-off (RORO) terminal fee for vehicles carrying agricultural products.
In parallel, the government has earmarked P2.5 billion for fuel subsidies benefiting more than 1.4 million drivers and operators nationwide. Of this amount, roughly P300 million has already been released to qualified beneficiaries.
