ILOILO City – Drivers of modernized jeepneys here were asking in unison: When would they receive their payment for offering “Libre Sakay”?
Panay News chanced upon around 30 driver-members of the Iloilo City Alliance of Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative (ICAODTC) – with the route Jaro CPU-Ungka-Iloilo City and vice versa – trooping Wednesday to their office in Barangay Sambag, Jaro district.
The drivers told Panay News they have not been paid yet for offering “Libre Sakay”, a Service Contracting Program (SCP) under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), and undertaken by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“Nagapangabay kami, Sir, maluoy man kamo,” said driver Jose Darly Pedregosa.
“Hambal ninyo ang kwarta ara na sa bangko. Ngaa indi ma-release? Ano ang problema? Pila na ka bulan hulat namon sang amon pinangabudlayan. Ano dapat namon himuon kag sin-o gid man ang tawo nga dapat namon palapitan?” Pedregosa lamented.
LTFRB’s nonpayment (from period April 20 to June 30) was “taking a toll” on the drivers, according to Pedregosa.
“Ang pamilya namon naga-antos na. Nakapaminsar na kami kis-a sang indi maayo nga buhaton tungod gusto namon matagaan sang maayo ang amon pamilya,” he said.
“Dapat kontani ulikdon ninyo man kami kag ihatag na ang dapat para sa amon. Indi na ninyo kami pagpabudlayi,” added Pedregosa.
Alias Arnel of Barangay Lanit, Jaro seconded.
“Lubong na kami sa utang. Ginasukot na kami. Kulang na lang gani daw patyon na lang kami nila kay hala lang kami kapasalig. Waay na kami kuhaan,” Arnel told Panay News.
Arnel appealed to the LTFRB to fast track the release of their payment.
“Husto na siguro ang six months. Tama na ina ka lawig nga hulat,” he added.
P21 MILLION
Rizal Alido, board secretary of ICAODTC, confirmed LTFRB has to pay them some P21 million yet.
It was originally P28 million but the agency made a partial payment, covering a 16-day trip, according to Alido.
The P7 million was distributed to the drivers, staff and accounts payable of the cooperative.
As for the status of the remaining payment, Alido said the money was already in the Land Bank of the Philippines but has not yet been transferred to the cooperative.
“Ngaa ara na, indi pa pag-transfer? Ngaa sige pa pag-antos sang mga drivers sang kooperatiba kon ara naman ina,” said Alido.
Panay News tried to seek the side of LTFRB-6 director Richard Osmeña but he has not responded to texts or calls./PN