Metro Manila, Philippines – Government officials are drafting the rules for carpooling in Metro Manila as a way to cope with spiraling oil prices.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday, March 26, requested the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the issuance of special permits to allow temporary shuttle operations of private vehicles, even without franchises.
The MMDA said it will discuss the proposal on March 30, along with the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, and the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group, according to a news release on Friday.
In a letter, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the proposed operations will be “strictly limited to employee transport, non-profit in nature, and fully compliant with the guidelines and regulatory oversight of the LTFRB.”
Artes asked that processing of the special permits will be streamlined and simplified and with minimum requirements.
He said the initiative would provide immediate and practical relief to commuters, encourage ride-sharing and reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, and support companies in ensuring the continuous mobility of their workforce.
He said it will help ease traffic decongestion and fuel efficiency .
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a national energy emergency following weeks of major oil price hikes that have affected various sectors, including transportation and agriculture.
The continued increases in fuel prices have pushed jeepney drivers to mount transport strikes across the country and several provincial bus operators to cut down trips.
The government is moving to ensure enough bus units plying roads by the Holy Week break.
It is providing cash aid and fuel subsidies to drivers and operators, however, beneficiaries said these are not enough.
Fares in MRT-3 and LRT-2 have been halved, with the DOTr studying the nationwide implementation of the “Libreng Sakay” program should oil price shocks persist.
