Filipinos are reminiscing about Philtranco, the country’s oldest bus company, amid reports of its impending closure.
Based on an internal memo, Philtranco Service Enterprises Inc. will stop its operations on March 30, 2026, after serving Filipinos since 1914, or for 112 years.
The memo said that the closure is due to “serious business losses,” adding that “the company is no longer in a position to sustain payroll.”
“This decision was our absolute last resort, made only after every other alternative was exhausted,” Philtranco president and CEO Michael Sabban said on February 2.
Sabban also expressed gratitude to the company’s bus drivers and conductors, as well as its maintenance and office staff.
“Your professionalism in the face of these hardships has been nothing short of inspiring. We are deeply grateful for the years you gave to this journey. We wish you and your loved ones strength and the very best as you push the path ahead,” he concluded.
Philtranco also changed its Facebook profile picture to a dimmed version of its logo on Tuesday, February 10.
The development saddened Filipinos, some of whom shared how the century-old bus company had impacted their lives.
“Naluluha talaga ako dito. Sa totoo lang, Philtranco ang unang nasakyan ko pa-Maynila. Galing Bicol. Siya nagdala sakin dito,” a Facebook user commented.
Another shared how Philtranco has been part of his “childhood.”
“My parents used to bring me along on their trips—can you imagine traveling for three days and two nights from Cagayan de Oro or Davao City to Pasay?” Facebook user said.
“I still remember when my mom left her purse at a restaurant somewhere in Surigao. She asked the bus driver if we could go back, even though it had already been almost an hour since we left. The driver was so patient and very understanding,” the Facebook user added.
“I also remember traveling with my dad. It was during one of those trips that I first tasted Dinuguan. At one stop, we almost got left behind because we roamed around while I insisted on buying sweet candies. The bus was about to leave, and my dad had to scold me,” the Facebook user said.
“Those are memories I will always cherish. It makes me sad knowing that I may no longer see Philtranco buses on the road,” the Facebook user continued.
“Naalala ko pa dati noong Elementary ako. Philtranco rin madalas namin masakyan kapag magbabakasyon kami pa-Bicol galing Manila,” a different Facebook user said.
“Nakapag-asawa ako taga-Iriga at thank you dahil sa paghatid sa akin, at sa amin eventually, mula Leyte pa-Iriga and vice versa.
Wishing you all the best as you move toward a new beginning,” another Pinoy commented.
“Salamat sa serbisyo, Philtranco… diyan ako lagi nasakay noon kapag nauwi ako pa-Bikol at pauwi Manila sa Pasay terminal,” a different Facebook user said.
“Sayang, ito pa naman favorite kong sakyan pauwi at pabalik ng Bicol,” another wrote.
“Ma-miss na namin LUZVIMINDA Warriors, lalo na ‘pag daan niyo dito sa San Juanico Bridges,” another Pinoy said.
“Thank you, Philtranco, sa long joyride, dahil naging part rin ako sa iyong mahabang journey. I will never forget of those beautiful days,” a different user commented.
“Thank you, Philtranco, ilang dekada din, ito ang palagi sinasakyan ng magulang ko from Leyte to Manila. Nakaka-sad naman na hindi na masilayan ang pagdaan nila sa lugar namin,” another Pinoy said.
According to reports, Philtranco is known for its long-haul provincial routes, with buses connecting Metro Manila to Southern Luzon and parts of Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao.
In the mid-2000s, the company began running integrated land-and-sea routes by linking provincial bus trips with ferry segments across regions.
Last year, Philtranco and its subsidiary, Amihan Bus Lines, temporarily suspended operations due to financial difficulties.
Philtranco started as the Albert Louis Ammen Transportation Company (ALATCO) in Iriga, Camarines Sur, in 1914 and eventually expanded beyond Bicol, becoming an iconic nationwide bus company connecting Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
