Philtranco to stop operations after 112 years in the business

For many Filipinos, particularly those living and working in Metro Manila, traveling to the provinces such as Bicol, the Visayas, and Mindanao has long meant boarding a bus, and more often than not, that bus carried the Philtranco name. For generations, the company has been synonymous with long-haul provincial travel.

That era is coming to an end.

Just recently, Philtranco announced it will cease operations after 112 years in the transport industry. In a memorandum signed by CEO Michael Sabban, the company said it will stop operations on March 30, 2026, citing sustained financial losses that have made it impossible to continue running the business and meet its obligations to employees.

“It is with a heavy heart and deep regret that I announce the Official Business Stop Operation of Philtranco Service Enterprises, Inc., Effective March 30, 2026.

For years, we have fought an uphill battle to keep our wheels turning. However, due to serious business losses, we can no longer sustain our business operations,” said Sabban.

He also expressed his gratitude to the company’s employees for their years of dedication and professionalism in helping sustain the operations of the iconic bus line.

Philtranco traces its roots to July 1, 1914, when American serviceman Albert Louise Ammen, together with Max Blouse, founded the A.L. Ammen Transportation Company (ALATCO) in Iriga, Camarines Sur. The company initially operated a single route between Iriga and nearby Naga, laying the foundation for what would become one of the country’s most enduring provincial bus lines.

In 1949, ownership of ALATCO was transferred to the Tuazon family of Manila. More than two decades later, in 1971, control shifted again, and this time to the Mantrade Group led by the Lopa and Cojuangco families, and the company was renamed Pantranco South Express, Inc. (PSEI).

The firm adopted the name Philtranco Service Enterprises, Inc. in 1984, marking another chapter in its long corporate history. In 1999, it was acquired by Penta Pacific Realty Corporation under businessman Jose C.H. Alvarez.

After more than a century in operation, however, mounting financial challenges began to weigh heavily on the company. In 2025, Philtranco temporarily suspended operations, along with its subsidiary Amihan Bus Lines, citing financial difficulties that would eventually lead to its upcoming closure.