The Metro Iloilo Transport Service Cooperatives (MITSCOOP), operating in seven routes in Iloilo City, has acquired 148 units of brand new EURO-compliant public utility jeepneys (PUJs) using the P367.72 million credit assistance granted by the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
“These are additional units for city routes,” said MITSCOOP board chairperson Josemarie de los Reyes, in an interview on Friday, July 7.
An initial 58 units were delivered in June and they expect the remaining 90 units to be available this July or early August.
He added that their cooperative has been awarded 328 units for the seven routes under the Iloilo City Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) including Tagbak–City Proper, Ungka-City Proper via Central Philippine University, Ungka-City Proper via Diversion Road, Bito-on, Jaro via Balabago, Bo. Obrero-City Proper, La Paz –Iloilo City Proper via ISAT-U, and Hibao-an, Iloilo City Proper via Tabucan/Festive Walk.
They already have 161 units up and running, servicing an average of over 40,000 commuters daily.
The air-conditioned units are equipped with a global positioning system and closed circuit television (CCTV) providing convenience and safety to passengers.
He added that all franchises of traditional jeepneys based on the memorandum circular of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have until December to operate.
“We have to hurry up to comply with the number of units required by the LTFRB,” he said.
The cooperative has almost 500 traditional units and transitionally the cooperative will remove them from the routes when the modernized units become available.
DBP in a news release on Thursday said that the credit assistance was provided under the Program Assistance to Support Alternative Driving Approaches (PASADA).
“DBP’s credit assistance to MITSCOOP reflects our firm resolve to support the implementation of the National Government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUMVP),” DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus.
“This undertaking further fortifies DBP’s commitment to stimulate local businesses in the automobile industry and to contribute to the overall development of the transportation sector in the country,” he added.
De Jesus said the PASADA Program is DBP’s flagship program for the modernization of the country’s transportation system and offers flexible and competitive financing options tailored to the unique needs of transport corporations and cooperatives accredited by the Office of Transport Cooperatives.
DBP Senior Vice President and Head of Development and Resiliency Sector Carolyn I. Olfindo said the cooperative also partnered in 2020 for the acquisition of 27 modernized jeepney units.
De los Reyes, meanwhile, said that aside from the acquisition of additional units, they have already made available the cashless card system for their automatic fare collection system (AFCS) giving commuters options to pay either in cash or through cards.
They have also started negotiating with CPU for customized cashless cards similar to their identification cards.Perla Lena/PNA
