mga drivers and operators naton nga maging sustainable ang ila pangabuhi-an sa transport industry (We are already late compared to other nations as it’s like we don’t want to give up the old PUVs. It’s not that we are disregarding the local producers, but this modernization is needed for the commuters, drivers and operators for them to have a sustainable livelihood in the transport industry),” Doblizo stressed.
Edwin Escanos , manager of the Calumpang-Iloilo Transport Service Cooperative also pointed out that through the cooperative, they gave additional work to some people, particularly working students; and assured availability of transportation service through proper street management systems.
“Unlike sa traditional mindset nga kung okay na ang bulsa, pululi na ang drivers ta wherein wala control ang aton operators. Ginhatagan man namon sang dignidad ang drivers kay wala lang sila nagaubra, before na sila i-dispatch, na-check na sang safety officer kung naka proper haircut, naka-ID, naka-uniform, wala sang gisi ang dilargo kag dapat naka sapatos and na see to it nga hind under influence sang liquor (Unlike with the traditional mindset, wherein drivers can just go home whenever they feel that they already earned enough, through modernization, we give drivers dignity in their work. The safety officers always check the drivers, like their haircut, IDs, uniform and shoes before dispatching them. They also see to it that they are not under the influence of liquor),” Escanos said.
Another representative from Leon Transport Cooperative (LETRANSCO) shared how they transformed their cooperative from only having P390,000 worth capitalization to having P6 million capital through proper collaboration and understanding among members.
Francisca Bijare, chairperson of the LETRANSCO, said that aside from their 19 units, they have already started to venture into the selling of spare parts and a gasoline station as an added service for their members.
“Kung wala opisina kag holiday, wala man damo gid nga pasahero, so ga-adjust kita with the demands sang aton mga pasahero, but with other sources of income that would support our operations, we feel nga kampante kami nga we can give back to our members what we owe them (If there’s no office and it’s holiday, there are only few passengers, so we are adjusting with the demands of passengers, but having other sources of income that would support the operators, we feel that we can give back to our members what we owe them),” Bijare said.
“In the process, we were able to convince them that with their support and their full cooperation, we will be able to eventually lead, transform, conquer all of the challenges and will achieve success in this modernization program,” she added. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)