Del Monte Land Transport Bus Company (DLTBCo) is a provincial bus company formed as a subsidiary of Del Monte Motor Works, Incorporated. It was formed as a resurgent of Batangas Laguna Tayabas Bus Company Incorporated (BLTBCo.), one of the oldest provincial bus companies in the Philippines. It plies routes mainly to Southern Luzon provinces and other parts in Eastern Visayas region.
DLTBCo. was founded in 2009 when BLTBCo. was taken over by DMMW and later added to its investment, although one must take note that DLTBCo. and BLTBCo. are different companies from each other, but their similarity is its routes that the latter have. It was because the former has announced its restoration of the old routes made by the latter after the firm's take over. BLTBCo., on the other hand, was founded in 1918 shortly before the end of World War I. Thus, DLTBCo is one of the nation's oldest bus firms if the BTLBCo history and timeline are included.
Etymology
The company was derived from the union of two small bus companies—BTCo. and LTB. BTCo. stands for Batangas Transportation Company, while LTB stands for Laguna Tayabas Bus Company. The union was made by Max Blouse, an American seargeant who fought in the Spanish–American War in 1898. After the war, he decided to stay in the Philippines.
History
Before proceeding to its present history, it is important to know about the historical background of BLTBCo., so that we may be able to see the difference between the past and the present history (DLTBCo.)
1918
It was in 1918 when Max Blouse began his business ventures and he founded the Batangas Transportation Company (BTCo). Starting with only one "calesa-like tires with wooden spokes" bus, Max Blouse performed a wondrous task of being the driver, conductor and repairman for the whole operation. Through his handwork and dedication, he eventually acquired 17 more units of the passenger vehicles painted in red that people fondly called "pula" - the basis of today's DLTBCo bus livery.
1928
As a result of the thriving operation in the transportation business, Max Blouse in 1928 incorporated BTCo with his newly established bus company dubbed as Laguna Tayabas Bus Company (LTB), concentrating in the area of Laguna and Tayabas. The two enterprises he had installed apportioned a conspicuous achievement until the disruption of the Second World War.
The remnants of the war resulted to an intense damage and decline of the company's business activities. All operations were closed, records were destroyed and most of the company-owned buildings were ravaged by the war. In spite of the miscarriage during those times, Max Blouse never lost his forbearance and intensified his effort to raise back the company's destroyed properties.
1945
Under a "Joint Emergency Operations" agreement on May 22, 1945, the two corporations proceeded its operation with 28 Chevrolet buses which Max Blouse acquired from the US army. Again, through his diligence and high-spirited deeds, he enabled a spectacular stride by bringing back the prosperity that the company savored prior to the war. The pressing demand for public transportation also moved him to respond immediately by providing the people's need to commute from one place to another as the country suffered from the debris of the war.
1961–1964
The death of Max Blouse on December 28, 1961 posted a challenge to Col. Pelagio G. Potenciano, a doctor by profession, who took the place of his father-in-law's designation as president. Albeit the fact the Colonel Potenciano did not have enough skills on the transportation business, he was bale to manage the two corporations well through his dedication and industry. It was during his administration where the BTCo and LTB finally merged into one company and was approved by the company's stockholder in 1964, thus, creating a new name termed as the Batangas Laguna Tayabas Bus Company (BLTBCo).
1977–1988
Colonel Potenciano's son Max, nicknamed "Sonny", became the president from 1977 up to 1988. Just like his grandfather and that of his dad, strong determination, and the will to succeed had inspired him to propel all the accomplishments into the limelight. With the full support of his loving wife Dolly Alonso and four sons namely Joey, Binky, Mike and Snooky the company realized its targets and was able to cope with the stiff competition in the transportation business.