ILOILO City – In a show of solidarity for the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) of the government, more than 500 minibuses will participate in a “unity caravan” here this afternoon organized by the Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations, Inc. (WVATCCI).
They will pause from operating for two hours.
Rizalito Alido, president of WVATCCI, explained that the caravan is intended to demonstrate the group’s support for the modernization program and to send a message to the government that the program should not be suspended.
“We oppose the proposed suspension of the PTMP,” Alido told Panay News.
The caravan will begin simultaneously at 1 p.m. from multiple assembly points including Tagbak Terminal, ITGSI Terminal, and Mohon Terminal, converging at Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue (Diversion Road) in Manduriao district for a “unity lunch” and press conference.
The participating WVATCCI members are the following:
* Molo Transport Service Cooperative
* Santa Barbara – New Lucena Transport Service Cooperative
* Aerostar Transport Cooperative
* Iloilo Superman Owners and Drivers Transport Cooperative
* Iloilo City Alliance Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative
* JJL Transport Corporation
* Pavia Iloilo Jeepney Owners and Drivers Transport Cooperative
* Joroshley Transport Services Incorporated
* Western Visayas Transport Cooperative
* Leon Transport Service Cooperative
* Calumpang Iloilo Service Transport Cooperative
Alido said their minibuses would cease operations for two hours, from the start of the caravan until the press conference at 3 p.m., after which they will resume their regular routes.
Raymundo Parcon, president of the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC), also expressed support for the caravan. He emphasized the readiness of the transport cooperatives to adhere to the modernization program and questioned the Senate’s rationale for seeking a suspension.
Parcon detailed the financial implications for the cooperatives such as WVTC, saying, “We have a bank loan of P200 million after purchasing 95 units of minibuses, payable over seven years. If they suspend the program now, it could financially devastate our cooperative. What happens to us then if they bring back the traditional jeepneys that haven’t been consolidated?”
He also expressed concern about the potential for unconsolidated traditional jeepneys to operate freely if the modernization program is halted, which could adversely affect the operations and revenue of the minibuses./PN
