A heated argument ensued between employees and the chairwoman of Metro Iloilo Transport Service Cooperative (Mitscoop) at the coop office morning on July 1, 2025.

Drivers and passenger assistance officers shouted in calling for the resignation of Mitscoop chairwoman identified as Annabelle Fale.

At least 152 employees of the cooperative, operating 76 units of modernized public utility jeepneys (PUJs), staged a “tigil pasada,” indicating the cessation of public transportation services as a form of protest. 

The protest stemmed from the non-release of the P13,000 maximum benefits of the employees’ service contracting from May 11, 2025 to  June 9, 2025.

The particular benefits have been promised reportedly by the chairwoman to the employees.

“Babangon kami alas 3 (madaling araw), garahe alas 8:30 (gabi). Ang contract service may pressure, may quota. Dapat ma-reach namin ang P5,000,” said Joseph Apid, a driver-operator.

“May pinag-aaral akong dalawang college. May dalawa akong high school. Ang uniporme ng high school hindi ko pa nababayaran sa patahian,” Glenn Priagula, a passenger assistance officer, said.

According to Fale, she did not assure employees of any benefits, citing that when officials assumed post in March 2025, there was no cash on-hand.

“Kahapon nando’n ako sa LandBank. Ipina-process ko yan doon.  Para in case na i-release ng LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] ang pera, makukuha namin,” Fale pointed out.

LTFRB 6 underscored that a validation of service contracting is carried out before the releasing of employees' claims.

The “tigil pasada” has affected passengers who got stranded especially during the rush hours.

As of this writing, LTFRB 6 has mulled on issuing a show cause order against the cooperative for compromising public transport.

“Kung ang nangyayari sa coop is a violation of the terms and conditions of the franchise that is issued, normally nagpo-proceed yan after mabigyan ng show cause order,” according to Atty. Jun Altura, legal officer of LTFRB 6.

Further, it was pointed out that there were instances in the previous months that Mitscoop employees got involved in road mishaps, and tested positive for illegal drugs.

However, the management assured that the hiring process and personnel management is stringent.

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas sought a reaction from the Cooperative Development Authority on the issue, but is yet to receive a reply from its legal officer.