In partnership with the Cebu Provincial Government, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) launches the ‘Tabang Pangbyahe Program,’ a first-of-its-kind provincial government-led service contracting program in the country that aims to support transport workers while ensuring reliable and accessible public transportation across Cebu Province, with Cebuano public utility vehicle (PUV) operators, drivers, and commuters expected to benefit from the initiative.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to ensure that PUV operators and drivers continue earning steady income for their families amid the volatile situation in the Middle East which has significantly affected the transport sector. The said program also aims to keep public transportation adequate for commuters, especially with the opening of classes.
“This program is a good example of how such partnerships can help improve public transport services for commuters.
Hindi lang po ang mga operators at drivers ang makikinabang sa programang ito ng ating Pangulo, kundi maging ang mga commuters dahil matitiyak nating sapat ang pampublikong sasakyang bumabiyahe lalo na ngayong pasukan na ng mga estudyante,” Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said.
Under the ‘Tabang Pangbyahe’ Service Contracting Program, the DOTr is providing P20 million in funding support through an agreement signed among the DOTr, the Provincial Government of Cebu, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The program will be implemented through the Net Service Contracting modality.
“Through this initiative, we are helping advance our shared goal of providing safer, more reliable, and more accessible transportation services for the people of Cebu. Under the leadership of Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez, the DOTr continues to strengthen partnerships with local government units in addressing transportation challenges and improving mobility across the country,” DOTr Senior Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor said.
Under this initiative, bus operators are incentivized to serve underserved routes, with passengers boarding and alighting only at designated stops identified through a study made by the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO).
Participating bus operators must comply with the standards set by the Cebu Provincial Government, including the installation of GPS devices in buses linked to a local command center for real-time monitoring, adherence to cleanliness and sanitation standards, the use of PWD-friendly low-floor buses, well-maintained air-conditioning, and compliance with the prescribed 60-passenger, no-standing policy.
For her part, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro welcomed the program as a step toward more dependable transport services for the province.
“Through this partnership among the national government, the Province of Cebu, and our local stakeholders, we are taking a unified step toward more efficient and accessible transport services across Metro Cebu and eventually, throughout the entire province,” Gov. Baricuatro said.
Once funds are released to the provincial government, eligible bus operators may begin processing their applications to participate in the program.
