Baguio: Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced that the city government will continue its 'night backload' subsidy for jeepney operators to incentivize their return to the Central Business District (CBD) during nighttime hours, benefitting passengers traveling from the city proper to barangays.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Emergency Transport Support Program (ETSP) provides financial assistance to Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) for their backloads or empty return trips amid unstable fuel prices due to ongoing global supply disruptions. The subsidy was introduced in April to address prolonged passenger queues at CBD loading areas, which often extend until 10 p.m. due to a shortage of jeepneys.

Mayor Magalong has suggested a potential expansion of the program with the reopening of classes in June, anticipating a surge in demand from 20 to 40 percent. He emphasized the importance of accommodating all commuters, especially during nighttime, to prevent long waiting times for individuals returning home after work or school.

The city allocates PHP1 million monthly for the subsidy, which may increase in June. Additionally, the city is hopeful for financial support from the Department of Transportation under its service contracting program.

The ETSP is a collaboration between the city government and 49 transport cooperatives, encompassing 295 PUJs across 32 routes in the city's 128 barangays. This initiative subsidizes jeepney drivers for backloads, which are typically a financial burden under the boundary system. By absorbing these costs, the city encourages drivers to service high-demand areas during peak nighttime hours, generally from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., or longer if necessary.

The agreement between the city and participating cooperatives includes specifications for route deployment, monitoring systems, and compliance obligations.