Under Executive Order No. 14, series of 2026, the city will subsidize the daily earnings of participating public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers. Participating drivers are expected to receive around ₱3,000 per day, depending on jeepney type, even while offering passengers fare‑free rides during the program period.
Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso met with leaders from 22 Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (JODAs) to finalize the plan, which is intended to counter the impact of global oil price spikes that have reduced many drivers’ daily take‑home pay.
More than 1,400 jeepneys are expected to join the program, which could serve an estimated 100,000 passengers daily across routes in Manila and surrounding areas. The city hopes the initiative will provide immediate relief to commuters struggling with rising transport costs.
City officials said the free ride program will run initially for five days over a two‑week period, with the possibility of extension depending on available funds. Subsidies aim to guarantee income for both drivers and jeepney operators while eliminating fare collection for passengers during the covered days.
Officials also stressed that the measure is temporary and designed to help both commuters and drivers cope with current economic pressures. The program has drawn attention as Manila seeks ways to support public transport amid broader calls for adjustments in the national transport sector.