Bus firm lays off 400 workers
IBA, Zambales, Philippines — A major bus company in Luzon has laid off 400 workers due to financial losses that resulted from the enhanced community quarantine.
Among those who lost their jobs are 300 drivers and conductors who were under probationary status as well as 100 administrative staff, inspectors and other workers who have been with the company for at least 20 years, according to Pocholo Galian, Victory Liner Inc. (VTI) Zambales area manager.
The company is expected to lay off more workers in the coming months as under the “new normal,” public vehicles can only carry 50 percent of their total load capacity.
“We are not earning money from this setup because of the 50-percent load capacity and shorter distance route,” Galian told The STAR.
VLI has 3,400 employees and around 500 indirect workers such as janitors and security guards.
The company is one of the largest bus operators in Central Luzon with about 1,200 units. It was able to secure a special permit to operate in Olongapo, Iba and Sta. Cruz, all in Zambales.
Aside from Zambales, VLI’s routes include the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga and Pangasinan.
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