QUEZON CITY — The National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) formally turned over modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) to three of its member-transport cooperatives in ceremonies held at the NATCCO Headquarters on August 14, marking another milestone in the federation’s contribution to sustainable and efficient public transportation.

The total loan release for the initiative amounted to Php 60 million, facilitated by NATCCO’s Treasury and Credit Group. The beneficiary cooperatives are Sta. Quiteria Transport Cooperative from Caloocan City, Cabuenos Transport Cooperative from Cabuyao, Laguna, and Guagua Betis Bacolor Jeepney Transport Service Cooperative based in Pampanga.

Sta. Quiteria Transport Cooperative received Php 10 million to acquire four new modern PUVs, adding to its fleet of 76 units, of which 25 are already modernized. The cooperative employs 76 operators, 47 drivers, and 6 office staff. Originally restructured in 2011, Sta. Quiteria has made significant strides in fleet modernization, beginning with a major acquisition in 2019 that expanded its service along the Sta. Quiteria-Blumentritt and Novaliches-Rizal Avenue routes. Its earlier loans with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) are set to mature in 2028.

Cabuenos Transport Cooperative received a Php 19.6 million loan from NATCCO in 2024, following a prior Php 9.8 million loan. This enabled the cooperative to acquire eight modern PUVs, building upon its previous acquisitions since registering with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in 2019. It purchased its first three modern units in 2023 and has since added four more through NATCCO. Cabuenos currently serves routes from Pacita Complex to Calamba City.

Guagua Betis Bacolor Jeepney Transport Service Cooperative secured the largest share of the funding, receiving Php 29.7 million for the purchase of nine new PUVs. Initially organized in 2017 and formally registered with CDA in 2019, the cooperative had already modernized its fleet through financing from the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives prior to NATCCO’s support. Its operations cover routes from Guagua to SM City, Sasmuan, and Magdalena.

The cooperative’s expanded operations benefit a wide range of stakeholders—drivers, conductors, dispatchers, mechanics, and administrative staff, including accountants and general managers—all contributing to the community’s livelihood and mobility.

The NATCCO Treasury Group is overseeing the loan release and vehicle acquisition of the transport cooperatives, and has performed all the necessary misk Management measures as well as financial oversight.

While risks such as road and vehicle safety, remittance, and cash handling were acknowledged, all three cooperatives have adopted risk-mitigation measures. In securing their loans, the co-ops submitted detailed financial statements and income projections, and agreed to loan terms that include: regular financial and operational evaluations, signing of NATCCO’s onboarding program and intervention agreement, viewing access to automated fare collection systems; Issuance of post-dated checks; and comprehensive insurance coverage in favor of NATCCO

This development reflects NATCCO’s continuing commitment to empower transport cooperatives by providing access to affordable financing while also ensuring transparency and sustainability through stringent monitoring and support.