THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) signed the P7-billion fund for the continuation of the “Service Contracting Program” or SCP for Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) this year.
During a hearing conducted by the House Committee on Transportation earlier, DBM Assistant Secretary Cristina Clasara said that the fund allocated for the SCP was already signed by DBM Officer-in-Charge Tina Rose Canda.
The SCP will be led by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
In a separate interview on radio, this was confirmed by DBM OIC Canda., who said the allocation is already for pick-up by the DOTr.
But when it comes to downloading from the bank for distribution, Canda said it will be the DOTr and the LTFRB who will be responsible since they will be the ones to implement it.
Under the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the DOTr and LTFRB are the ones that have a specific line item for the SCP worth P7 billion.
The program was launched by the national government for drivers from the public transportation sector who lost their livelihood, even for commuters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the other hand, the House Transportation Committee thanked the DBM for what it did, especially that this program is expected to be a big help to those in the transport sector.