A policy framework advanced by former COMELEC commissioner and PGMN Anchor Atty. Rowena Guanzon is now taking shape on the ground, with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso rolling out a free jeepney ride program that protects both commuters and drivers from rising fuel prices.
Guanzon has advocated for a system where government steps in to stabilize earnings for transport workers while easing the burden on passengers, framing it as a direct and people-centered response to economic pressure on both sectors. “Natulungan niyo na ang commuter, natulungan niyo pa ang mga driver. Win-win, ‘di ba?” she said, highlighting a solution that looks after both the riding public and the livelihoods of drivers.
Moreno moved to implement the approach at the city level, coordinating with 22 Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations in Manila to translate the framework into a working program that reaches those who need it most. Under the setup, participating drivers receive a fixed daily income from the city government, replacing lost fares while keeping jeepneys running across key routes.
The program delivers immediate and tangible relief. Commuters are able to travel without cost at a time when daily expenses continue to rise, while drivers secure stable and predictable earnings despite increasing fuel prices. Public transport remains uninterrupted, ensuring that workers, students, and families can continue moving across the city.
The rollout underscores a shared focus on public service, with Guanzon advancing a clear, people-first framework and Moreno carrying it out on the ground. Together, the approach reflects a coordinated effort to protect livelihoods, sustain mobility, and respond directly to the everyday needs of Filipinos.
