Transport operators in Northern Mindanao on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, said the fare increase approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for public utility jeepneys (PUJ) is not enough.

LTFRB approved a provisional fare increase of P2 for modern jeepneys and P1 for traditional jeepneys.

For modern jeepneys, the base fare for the first four kilometers is now P17 from P15, with an additional P2.40 per kilometer thereafter.

On the other hand, the base fare for traditional jeepneys will increase from P12 to P13 for the first four kilometers, with P1.80 per additional kilometer.

“Sa ngayon, lahat po yan provisional, pwede nila agad i-implement yan. Ang kondisyones para maging permanente na ang mga fares na to is that they secure the fare matrix on or before June of 2026,” LTFRB Chairman, Atty. Vigor Mendoza, said.

The Northern Mindanao Federation of Transport Cooperatives (NOMFEDTRASCO) said the increase fell short of the fare adjustment they sought from LTFRB.

However, NOMFEDTRASCO Chief Executive Officer, Luzminda Escobidal, said they agreed to accept it.

“Kana siya dili pa na siya enough kay kung ato computon dili pa gyud siya mo arang atong amo gipangayo nga increase kay dako pa kaayo ang kulang pero mas maayo na lang kaysa wala gyud siya,” Escobidal said.

Traditional jeepney operators also expressed concerns that the P1 increase barely offsets their rising daily fuel costs.

“Sa isa round trip 300 kaniadto 150 ra maka recover rami ato times two na lage. Kulang dapat singko ang isaka,” jeepney driver, Japeth Mendoza, said.

Some commuters in Davao City said they understand the fare increase.

“Nasabtan man pud gud nako ang (drivers) okay ra pud,” a commuter said.

“Kung unsa man galing ang imando nga ipasaka mao nay giingon nga dawaton na lang gyud,” another commuter added.

LTFRB explained that the fare hike is based on rising global oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“Immediately po yan may provisional reduction tayo pending hearing po yan baka naman umakyat yung other factors of operation pero immediately once the price goes down to 75 level may provisional reduction po yan,” Mendoza said.

In Northern Mindanao, LTFRB-10 said it is awaiting formal notice from the central office for the distribution of the new fare matrix.

Meanwhile, a bus company operating within the region has also announced a fare adjustment, with a P0.35 per kilometer increase approved but not yet implemented.