CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Transport groups and drivers in Northern Mindanao have expressed dismay over the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspending the implementation of the scheduled fare hike, saying the minimal increase could have helped ease the impact of rising fuel prices.
Luzminda Escobidal, general manager of the Northern Mindanao Federation of Transport Service Cooperative (NOMFEDTRASCO), voiced frustration during a radio interview on March 19, questioning the suspension of what she described as a modest adjustment.
“Kung makasabot lang mo sa among gibati karong panahona, giulbo gyud akong kaspa. Pila ra na nga pagsaka pero gi-suspend pa gyud,” Escobidal said.
She noted that many drivers have yet to receive government assistance despite the prolonged fuel crisis, adding that not all cooperative members were able to qualify for fuel subsidies due to limited time to complete requirements.
“Ngano naa ba ayuda gihatag sa amo? Sukad sa fuel crisis wala mi ayuda nadawat. Wala namo napaapil tanan among drivers kay limited ang time,” she added.
Escobidal said drivers, who continue to provide daily public service, were relying on the fare adjustment to augment their income.
As a cost-cutting measure, only 10 of the cooperative’s 15 buses are currently operating to conserve fuel.
A motorcycle-for-hire driver from Tagoloan, Michael Bryan Daumar, also described the suspension as unreasonable.
“Grabe sad, piso na lang gani na,” he said.
Taxi driver Allen Bagay of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, said some passengers have voluntarily offered additional fare to help drivers cope with rising costs.
“Maayo tong naay mga pasahero nga sila nalang mag-initiate magdugang sa ilang plete. Lisod among kahimtang karon,” Bagay said.
However, commuters expressed mixed reactions.
Justine Abrera, a college student from Barangay Canitoan, said fare increases would also strain passengers, particularly students.
“Looy gyud tanan, apektado gyud. Pero kung musaka ang plete, malisdan gyud mi—especially kami nga upat ga-eskwela,” she said.
