The lawmaker expressed her dismay over the national government’s failure to extend the Bayanihan 2, which covered transport service contracting amounting to ₱5.58 billion. The fund was intended to provide steady income to transport workers.
“Hindi lang ang pansamantalang pagtigil ng ‘Libreng Sakay’ program ang epekto ng pagkawala ng bilyong-bilyong pisong pondo para sa service contracting," Hontiveros said in a statement."Kung hindi agad kikilos ang Department of Transportation at ang Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board , biglang tataas din ang gastusin ng mga commuter dahil sa kakulangan ng bumibiyaheng jeep at bus sa lansangan.
Hontiveros said Filipinos will rely more on taxi, tricycle or transport vehicle network services if the DOTr fails to revive the service contracting program. In a separate statement, Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, said there was no need to stop the government's free ride service as the DOTr has an untapped ₱3 billion budget.