LTFRB’s monetary aid allows Iloilo transport coop to deploy full fleet

ILOILO CITY — Government financial assistance is allowing a transport cooperative in Iloilo to deploy all 95 of its modernized jeepneys despite rising fuel costs, the transport group’s chairperson said Wednesday.

Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC) chair Raymundo “Boyet” Parcon said the cooperative expects to receive the P20,000 monthly assistance per unit from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) within the week.

WVTC operates 95 modernized jeepneys serving routes from the Mohon, Ungka and Tagbak terminals to Iloilo City.

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“This is a big help for us. Imagine, that is P20,000 per unit per month. Because of this, our board has decided that we will deploy 100 percent of our units,” Parcon said in an interview.

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The cooperative will use part of the assistance to cover employee benefits, including contributions to the Pag-IBIG Fund, Social Security System and Philippine Health Insurance Corp., he said.

It also plans to gradually build up its diesel reserves to serve as a buffer if the government assistance and fuel discounts end.

Parcon noted that the support will help the cooperative sustain operations as fuel prices rise and prevent disruptions for commuters.

Without government assistance, the cooperative could be forced to reduce its operations to as few as five units per route, if fuel prices continue to increase, Parcon said.

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Ma. Joscet Abellar, chief transportation development officer of the LTFRB in Western Visayas, said Tuesday that the assistance will be provided for three months.

The aid is expected to benefit about 1,500 modernized jeepneys in the region.

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“We understand that they really need this to continue with their operations, and they won’t stop their operations due to the increase in fuel prices,” Abellar said.

She urged qualified operators to submit their applications to the regional LTFRB office for evaluation and endorsement to the central office. /apl