By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperative and Corporation Inc. (WVATCCI) warned that it would surrender its modernized jeepney units to banks if unconsolidated jeepneys are allowed to resume operations on existing routes.
WVATCCI Chairman Rizal Alido said permitting unconsolidated jeepneys back on the road would create unfair competition and trigger massive income losses for operators who have complied with the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
He stressed that many cooperatives under WVATCCI are already struggling financially, evident in delayed salary payouts for employees.
“There have been many complaints against us. We cannot do otherwise. Almost 30 to 50 percent of our income is delayed,” Alido said in an interview with Aksyon Radyo Iloilo on Saturday, April 12.
Alido added that member cooperatives are also preparing for a large-scale national transport strike if the government pushes through with legalizing unconsolidated jeepney operations.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon recently met with transport group PISTON and said he has directed a special committee to create a mechanism that would legalize operations of unconsolidated jeepneys.
Dizon said this mechanism would be rolled out before Holy Week.
While Alido said he is not opposed to helping unconsolidated operators, he emphasized that any permits should apply only to new or unassigned routes, not those already covered by consolidated units.
He cited Iloilo province as an example, noting that eight new routes remain open for servicing as its Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) has yet to be approved.
However, such flexibility is not possible for Iloilo City, where the LPTRP is already being implemented.
“I’m expecting Secretary Dizon will balance his decisions to help unconsolidated units, but only through specific or new routes assigned to them,” Alido added.
As of 2024, 77.2 percent — or 6,584 — of public utility jeepneys in Western Visayas have complied with PTMP’s consolidation requirement by organizing into cooperatives or corporations.
With WVATCCI’s warning to surrender units, Alido acknowledged that DOTr’s decision is critical and could trigger business closures, employee unrest, and widespread disruptions in the transport sector.
“Yes, we’re going to be facing a transportation collapse. We have decided already,” he said.
“What’s the use of doing business if you’re not able to pay your people?”
Alido emphasized that operators who followed the government’s modernization program should be protected and prioritized.
“They should not prioritize just a small fraction of drivers and operators. I doubt that, whatever the government does, they will even undergo consolidation,” he said.
Alido added that WVATCCI members remain firm in their decision to join the transport strike but are waiting for an official announcement from the national government before taking action.
