The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday said there are 37 routes of traditional public utility jeepneys (TPUJ) in six regions that are under the Service Contracting Program (SCP).

In a Facebook post, the LTFRB said these routes are in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.

“Inaasahan ang pagbubukas ng ilan pang mga ruta ng TPUJs sa buong bansa sa mga susunod na araw (More TPUJ routes are expected to open in the coming days throughout the country),” the LTFRB said.

It said the SCP, currently in its second phase of implementation, was based on the order of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to help health workers and other authorized persons outside of residence (APORs) who regularly travel during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Sa pamamagitan ng programa, nabibigyan ng insentibo ang mga operator at driver base sa bilang ng kanilang nakumpletong biyahe kada linggo (Through the program, operators and drivers are given incentives based on the number of trips they have completed per week),” the LTFRB said.

Drivers and operators who have joined the program, it said, receive a one-time “onboarding incentive” of PHP5,000 per vehicle unit and per kilometer (/km) incentives — PHP27/km for net service contracting and PHP52.50/km for those who joined the “Libreng Sakay” program.

For those interested or have questions about the program, they may visit the LTFRB official Facebook page or call the LTFRB Program Implementing Unit Office at (02) 8529 7111 local 845 or through the LTFRB 24/7 hotline 1342. (PNA)