Several transport cooperatives in Northern Mindanao are set to stage a “transport holiday” on Monday, March 23, 2026, to express their disappointment over the suspension of the approved fare increase.

The Northern Mindanao Federation of Transport Cooperatives (NOMFEDTRASCO) announced that its members will stop operations temporarily as a form of protest against the government’s move to postpone the implementation of a P2 fare hike.

NOMFEDTRASCO Chief Executive Officer, Luzminda Escobidal, said around 52 transport cooperatives in the region are expected to participate.

Escobidal clarified that the transport holiday is not meant to be a strike but a pause in operations, as drivers and operators are already struggling with rising fuel costs.

She said several drivers are barely earning enough since most of their income went to fuel expenses, leaving little to take home or pay for vehicle rentals.

“It’s not really a strike kung dili ipahulay lang kay dili naman gyud makaya sa mga driver ug operator ang fuel price hike… gani sa ilang yangongo nga wala na silay mauli sa balay kay taman ra sa krudo ang ilang kinitaan ug kung mag-abang ka sa imong sakyanan wala na gyud ka ika-abang,” Escobidal said.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Northern Mindanao (LTFRB-10) said it understands the sentiments of transport groups amid the ongoing fuel crisis. However, it emphasized that public transportation services must not be disrupted.

LTFRB-10 has coordinated with local government units and private companies to deploy vehicles that could assist affected commuters during the transport holiday.

The agency also assured that efforts are in place to prevent paralysis of transportation services and urged transport groups to reconsider pushing through with the protest.

“Siguraduhon nato nga dili ma piang, dili ma paralisa ang transportasyon on Monday. Prebilihiyo lang baya gyud na ang CPC kaning franchise nato that is why we are calling the transport sector, atong mga kaigsuonan, nga, hopefully, magbago ang isip ninyo at huwag na ituloy ang tigil pasada,” LTFRB-10 Director, Aljo Bendijo, said.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao Federation of Transport Cooperatives (MFTC) said it will not join the transport holiday and will ensure normal operations.

MFTC maintained that the public should not be burdened, especially as many are already affected by the continuing increases in fuel prices.

“Ato man ning mandate, misulod man ta ani, so magkinaunsa man galing kinahanglan mosunod kita sa mandato sa gobyerno,” MFTC President, Melvin Erederos, said.

LTFRB-10 advised the riding public to leave early and consider alternative modes of transportation to avoid delays.