A transport group in Northern Mindanao has expressed disappointment and is considering staging a strike after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. suspended the approved fare increase amid the rising prices of petroleum products.

The fare increase approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) was supposed to take effect on Thursday, March 19, 2026, but the President ordered the suspension of its implementation.

The implementation was postponed, citing the need to speed up the distribution of assistance to the transport sector.

“I-postpone na muna natin yan dahil nasa gitna ngayon tayo ng sitwasyon na ito na kailangan patuloy ang ating pag alalay sa ating mga commuters sa lahat ng mangagawa, mga estudyante ang lahat ng gumagamit ng ating transport system,” Marcos said.

Because of the directive, the Northern Mindanao Federation of Transport Cooperatives (NOMFEDTRASCO) expressed dismay, saying they had already spent funds to secure a new fare matrix from LTFRB prior to the President’s announcement.

“Matud pa niya nakurat kuno siya pagmata niya naunsa man diay siya pag meeting diay natulog diay siya ingon an aba diay ang president, wala siyay contingency plan kung unsa iyang buhaton sa atong economic crisis karong panahona,” NOMFEDTRASCO Chief Executive Officer, Luzminda Escobidal, said.

NOMFEDTRASCO also questioned the delay in releasing government aid, including fuel subsidies, service contracting, and other assistance for drivers.

The group said rising fuel prices have already affected their daily operations, forcing some operators to reduce the number of vehicles running to save on fuel costs.

“Ang ila unta gi-suspend ang atong fuel nga nga mo hunong ang pagpataas fuel ug dapat ila untang gi suspend ang excise tax pero unsa ilang tubag daghan kuno ayuda huna-hunaon nimo nga ang ayuda nga among gipaabot wala pa gyud diha,” Escobidal added.

In a statement, LTFRB confirmed that it would implement the President’s directive nationwide and said it is expediting the release of assistance to the transport sector.

LTFRB also said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has already coordinated with all concerned agencies to ensure support reaches drivers and operators.

NOMFEDTRASCO said it is considering staging a transport strike to protest the delay in implementing the fare increase.

“Ang among purpose di man sa i-paralyze nato kung di ipakita namo kung unsa among pagka-dismaya sa atong gobyerno karong panahona,” Escobidal said.