Newly appointed Office of Transport Cooperatives (OTC) Chairman Teofilo E. Guadiz III on Monday pledged to address what he described as an artificial shortage of public transport units on key routes nationwide by working closely with transport cooperatives.

On his first day in office, Guadiz, a seasoned lawyer, banker, and transport official, said his immediate priority is to “restore the full operational capacity of transport cooperatives and ensure that commuters are no longer burdened by the lack of available rides.”

Guadiz, who previously served as chairman of both the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), announced that he will convene a high-level consultation with cooperative leaders on October 15.

The meeting, according to Guadiz, aims to pinpoint bottlenecks in deployment, financing, and route management—particularly in areas where units have gone idle despite the presence of active franchises.

“Public transportation is not just a service; it is the heartbeat of the economy,” Guadiz said. “When our commuters cannot move efficiently, the entire nation slows down. My task is to remove every obstacle preventing our cooperatives from putting their vehicles back on the road.”

Guadiz added that he will bring to the OTC a rare blend of banking discipline and transport leadership. Before entering government service, he practiced as a corporate lawyer and served as legal counsel for one of the country’s largest savings banks.

This background, he said, gave him a deep understanding of the financial realities and credit challenges faced by transport cooperatives.

As LTO chief, Guadiz introduced the LTO Driving School System, which set higher standards for driver education and road safety. Later, as LTFRB chairman, he helped craft the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) — a reform that streamlined compliance for operators while improving commuter service.

He also revamped the Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) system, making it more operator-friendly and efficient, focusing on vehicle safety without imposing unnecessary burdens on small operators.

Consultative, compassionate leadership

Known for his accessibility and responsiveness, Guadiz has earned a reputation among transport leaders as a listening and solution-oriented official.

“Our transport cooperatives are not just service providers — they are partners in nation-building,” he emphasized. “They are the backbone of rural and urban mobility. As a banker, I understand their financial struggles; as a regulator, I understand their operational ones. My mission is to unite both perspectives to bring real, lasting solutions.”

The upcoming consultation is expected to produce a roadmap addressing financing barriers, access to credit for repairs or vehicle replacement, and improved coordination among cooperatives operating on overlapping routes.

Guadiz said his dual background as a financial strategist and transport technocrat positions him well to build strong partnerships between government, banks, and cooperatives toward a sustainable and balanced transport ecosystem.

Reviving cooperative-driven mobility

Under Guadiz’s leadership, the Office of Transport Cooperatives aims to reinvigorate transport cooperatives as engines of inclusive mobility, especially in provincial and underserved areas.

His long-term vision includes expanding access to credit facilities, professionalizing cooperative management, and strengthening the sector’s financial resilience.

“Our people deserve a transport system that works — every day, everywhere,” Guadiz concluded. “We can no longer allow inefficiency to masquerade as shortage. Through cooperation and sound management, we will restore order and bring comfort back to the Filipino commuter.”