Transport Coop Workers On Strike Over Pay, Benefit Delays

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Operations of the Metro Iloilo Transport Cooperative (MITSCOOP) were halted on Tuesday, July 1, as more than 100 workers staged a strike over alleged delayed wages, unremitted benefits, and unpaid service contracting dues.

The protest, held outside MITSCOOP’s office, disrupted nearly 80 bus units, particularly those operating along the Jaro Tagbak–Iloilo City route.

Workers accused MITSCOOP chairperson Annabelle Falle of failing to release payments for service contracting and distribute delayed salaries.

Some also alleged that SSS contributions were deducted from their wages but not remitted.

In response, Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, chairperson of the Iloilo City Council Committee on Transportation, visited the cooperative and vowed to mediate the dispute.

Cabaluna said the city government will hold a dialogue with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Social Security System to address the complaints and restore normal operations.

Falle said she faced difficulties managing the cooperative’s bank accounts due to a lack of proper cash turnover when she took office.

“No cash on hand was turned over to me, and our current account was already under garnishment, which makes it really difficult to manage,” she said.

Despite these challenges, she said efforts are underway to address members’ concerns.

Falle clarified that some SSS contributions were remitted in December and that other funds had been deposited under employees’ names.

She said inconsistencies in employee records, including unverified or incorrect IDs, caused further delays.

She added that MITSCOOP deposited funds for April and is awaiting clearance from Land Bank to release money under the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) service contracting program.

The service contracting program provides performance-based cash subsidies to public utility vehicle drivers and operators.

Falle said unresolved cases with the DOLE and garnished accounts have delayed the release of these funds.

 

FRANCHISE VIOLATION

LTFRB-6 legal officer Atty. Salvador “Jun” Altura said MITSCOOP’s failure to deploy units as franchised constitutes a violation.

“It’s like abandoning a route for a certain period to the prejudice of the commuters,” he told Daily Guardian.

He said the agency is weighing whether to meet with MITSCOOP or issue a show cause order.

If violations are confirmed, penalties could range from fines and suspension to franchise revocation.

Altura clarified that LTFRB’s jurisdiction is limited to franchise matters.

Salary-related complaints fall under DOLE, while internal cooperative issues fall under CDA oversight.

“We only regulate matters related to the franchise,” he said.

He urged transport cooperatives to resolve internal disputes and escalate unresolved matters to the proper agencies.